The Federal Government says sustained investments in malaria prevention and treatment are delivering positive results, with no state in Nigeria currently classified as a high malaria transmission area.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in Abuja at a forum tagged “The Science of Defeating Malaria.”
Represented by the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Professor Pate said twenty-seven states are now classified as moderate-transmission areas, while nine states, including the Federal Capital Territory, fall within the low-transmission category.
He attributed the progress to years of strategic partnerships, community engagement and the commitment of health workers across the country.
According to him, “This progress reflects years of partnership, community engagement and the dedication of health workers providing leadership across Nigeria.”
Professor Pate called for sustained efforts through improved data collection, adaptability and accountability, stressing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is focused on improving the efficiency of health investments.
The Minister said the Federal Government had developed a National Malaria Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2030 aimed at reducing malaria mortality by fifty per cent in line with the World Health Organization target for 2030.
He emphasized the need for an evidence-driven malaria programme capable of rapid learning and informed decision-making.
“All these data streams must come together to guide timely decisions at all levels, identify where children are missing vaccine doses, where insecticide resistance is emerging, and where communities face the greatest barriers to diagnosis,” he said.
Professor Pate expressed optimism that malaria could be eliminated through unity, collaboration and accountability, assuring that the ministry would continue to champion a comprehensive ECOWAS regional malaria elimination framework, harmonized data systems and cross-border surveillance.
Also speaking, a representative of the African Office of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Dr. Olusola Ayoola, said the forum was designed to equip participants from across Sub-Saharan Africa with effective malaria elimination strategies.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Nnenna Chizaram Ogbulafor, revealed that the programme had funded more than forty-two grants and sponsored women from sixteen Sub-Saharan African countries for malaria leadership development courses.
Cov/Hassan Hussain
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