Dangote, Elumelu, Otedola Lead New Fight Against Malaria In Nigeria

The federal government has enlisted three of Nigeria’s top business magnates—Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group; Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings; and Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc—to lead renewed efforts in combating malaria through the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC).

Established in 2017 and inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2022, NEMC is tasked with driving initiatives to eliminate malaria across Nigeria. The council is now intensifying its efforts under the leadership of these influential business leaders.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, highlighted the alarming impact of malaria in Nigeria, noting that the country accounts for over a quarter of global malaria cases and a third of malaria deaths worldwide, with children and pregnant women being the most affected.

Alausa described the situation as “tragic,” emphasizing that malaria is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of childhood mortality and 60 percent of hospital visits in Nigeria. The disease also significantly contributes to absenteeism in schools, workplaces, and markets, placing a heavy financial burden on households.

The newly appointed leaders of NEMC are expected to collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), national assembly health committees, and women’s organizations to advance the malaria elimination agenda.

Alausa expressed optimism about the council’s mission, stating, “It gives me great pleasure to be present at this auspicious meeting, whose major objective is to contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden and, possibly, the elimination of malaria in Nigeria, which will ultimately lead to an improvement in the quality of life for all Nigerians.”

He further stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that while malaria cases and deaths are declining in other countries, Nigeria continues to experience an increase. Alausa pointed out that most of the support for malaria interventions in Nigeria is donor-driven, which is inadequate and unsustainable.

“Aware of the fact that no country has ever eliminated malaria through donor support alone, the African Heads of State launched the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) during the African Union Summit of 2009, and the Malaria Scorecard was developed in 2011 to monitor country performance and serve as an advocacy tool for heads of government,” Alausa said.

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The council’s establishment aims to keep malaria high on national and state agendas through strong political commitment from leaders at all levels and to mobilize financial and in-kind resources from new sources.

Alausa concluded by handing over the leadership of the council to Aliko Dangote, emphasizing that the involvement of these business leaders, given their influence and passion for health issues, especially malaria, is crucial for the benefit of the larger society, particularly children and pregnant women who are most affected.

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