- Tinubu Govt Launches Plan to Slash Malaria Prevalence Nationwide
- Salako cautioned against treating the disease as routine
- Reaffirmed that malaria elimination remains a priority under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Federal Government has launched a new National Malaria Strategic Plan (2026–2030), setting an ambitious target to reduce malaria prevalence and deaths by 50 percent before the end of the decade.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the plan in Abuja during a press briefing to mark the 2026 World Malaria Day.
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He explained that the strategy is built around tailored interventions at the sub-national level and aligns with global best practices, including frameworks developed by the World Health Organization.
Describing malaria as a serious public health and economic challenge, Salako cautioned against treating the disease as routine. He noted that malaria continues to claim lives, particularly among children and pregnant women, while also affecting national productivity.
According to the 2025 global malaria report, Nigeria accounts for nearly a quarter of all malaria cases worldwide and over 30 percent of related deaths, highlighting the urgency of intensified interventions.
Despite this burden, the minister pointed to measurable progress over the years, with malaria prevalence dropping from 42 percent in 2010 to about 15 percent in 2025. He added that no state in the country is currently classified under high transmission levels.
Under the new plan, the government will scale up proven interventions such as the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and vaccination programmes. Since 2015, more than 500 million treated nets have been distributed nationwide, with additional rollout planned across 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2026.
The programme is also expected to reach about 29 million children under five with preventive treatment across 21 states, while over 700,000 children have already benefited from malaria vaccination efforts in selected areas.
In a bid to strengthen control strategies, Nigeria is also piloting Larval Source Management in six states, targeting mosquito breeding sites.
Salako reaffirmed that malaria elimination remains a priority under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a focus on improving healthcare systems, strengthening surveillance, and promoting data-driven decision-making.
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, the private sector, and the media, stressing that malaria elimination requires collective action.
The minister also urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as sleeping under treated nets, maintaining clean environments, and seeking early medical care when symptoms appear.
He emphasised that sustained commitment is critical, warning that the consequences of inaction remain too severe for the country to ignore.
