NIGERIA  REPORTS DECLINE IN MALARIA PREVALENCE TO 15.2%, SETS 2030 TARGET TO HALVE BURDEN

NIGERIA  REPORTS DECLINE IN MALARIA PREVALENCE TO 15.2%, SETS 2030 TARGET TO HALVE BURDEN

By Our Health Correspondent

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Government of Nigeria has reported a decline in malaria parasite prevalence among children aged 6–59 months from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15.2 per cent in 2025 and set a target to reduce malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths by 50 per cent from 2025 levels by 2030.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) Report and the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030, held on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in Abuja. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom

The Minister said the 6.8 percentage-point decline reflects meaningful progress in Nigeria’s malaria response, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to improving health outcomes under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He cited Kebbi State, where prevalence fell from 49 per cent in 2021 to 18 per cent in 2025, but cautioned that progress must not be mistaken for elimination.

He added that among households owning insecticide-treated nets, 72.3 per cent of children and 80.6 per cent of pregnant women slept under one, underscoring the need to strengthen consistent use of this essential preventive intervention.

The Minister said the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 is aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and advanced through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), under the principle of “One Plan, One Budget, One Report, One Conversation.” He noted that its Sub-National Tailoring approach will direct interventions towards high-burden areas based on local epidemiological evidence.

The Director-General of the National Population Commission, Dr. Abuh Muhammed, said the survey demonstrates the value of the partnership between the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Commission, combining technical expertise in malaria control with the Commission’s survey infrastructure and field operations. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based planning and urged policymakers and partners to use the findings to direct resources where they are most needed.

The Minister called on state governments to take ownership of their NMIS findings, align malaria plans and budgets with identified needs, and ensure the timely release of funds. He also urged development partners to align their investments and technical support with national priorities.

He commended the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the National Population Commission and all partners involved in the survey, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening domestic financing, improving surveillance and sustaining a coordinated, accountable national malaria response to reduce malaria illness and deaths across the country.