FG, Malaria Consortium unveil four-year strategy to tackle disease
…renew push to make Nigeria malaria-free The Federal Government and Malaria Consortium have unveiled a four-year (2026–2029) strategy to make Nigeria malaria-free. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating malaria
...renew push to make Nigeria malaria-free
The Federal Government and Malaria Consortium have unveiled a four-year (2026–2029) strategy to make Nigeria malaria-free.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating malaria in the country, pledging stronger collaboration under a sector-wide framework focused on prevention, elimination and eventual eradication of the disease.
The renewed resolve was announced in Abuja during the unveiling of Malaria Consortium Nigeria’s 2026–2029 strategy, where government officials and development partners emphasised sustainable, locally driven interventions and deeper integration of malaria control into the broader health system.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the country had recorded measurable progress in the fight against malaria, reducing prevalence to about 15 percent.
The minister, who was represented by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Charles Nzelu, said the new strategy aligned with the Federal Government’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and the ongoing health sector reform agenda.
READ ALSO: NPA: Nigeria ports post 24.8% cargo growth, 205.8% transhipment surge in 2025
The minister said, “When you design a strategy, you want to produce health, save lives, and reduce both physical and financial burdens. Diseases push families into catastrophic expenditure. We don’t want this strategy to gather dust.”
Advertisement
300x250
He added that the government was placing greater emphasis on ownership, sustainability and integration, not only in coordination but also in service delivery, under the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Initiative.
Commending Malaria Consortium for aligning with the government’s framework, the minister expressed optimism that eradication was achievable.
“We have delivered 390 million treatments in the last five decades, but for malaria, we are aiming not only for elimination but for total eradication. We will get there. We look forward to the day the World Health Organization certifies Nigeria malaria-free,” he said.
Also speaking, the Country Programmes Manager of Malaria Consortium, Olatayo Abikoye, painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s malaria burden.
“Nigeria accounts for 27 percent of global malaria cases and 12 percent of malaria deaths. We lose about $1.1 billion annually to treatment, prevention, and lost productivity. Addressing malaria is not optional,” he said.
Abikoye linked the organisation’s new strategy to President Bola Tinubu’s local manufacturing drive under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), noting that malaria commodities present the greatest opportunity for both health and economic impact.
“All roads lead to malaria, whether APIs, test kits, bed nets, or other products. If we want economic and health impact, malaria is the way to go,” he said.
He disclosed that Nigeria would, for the first time, commence local production of WHO pre-qualified dual-active long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in April.
“Nigeria has not produced a single pre-qualified bed net before now. But through the efforts of NMEP, PVAC, and private sector partners, Nigeria will produce its first dual-active long-lasting insecticide-treated net,” he stated.
Advertisement
300x250
According to him, the new facility is projected to position Nigeria as a continental hub for malaria commodities.
“As soon as we advanced the project, the world’s second-largest producer signaled interest in coming to Nigeria. This country will not only be self-reliant but will also become a supplier,” he added.
He further revealed that over 100,000 malaria rapid diagnostic test kits are already being produced locally in Lagos, underscoring growing momentum in health sector industrialisation.
Also speaking at the event, Senior Technical Adviser at Malaria Consortium, Dr. Olusola Oresanya, described the document as more than a policy framework.
“This strategy is about systemic change. It is about ensuring Nigeria’s fight against malaria is resilient, self-sustaining, and future-focused. It is about translating research into action, maximizing value for money, and building enduring financing models,” she said.
She stressed that despite progress, malaria continues to pose a threat to vulnerable populations.
Advertisement
300x250
“Malaria continues to threaten our most vulnerable, especially children under five. Protecting every child, every family, and every community remains our goal,” Oresanya added.
Programme Director for West and Central Africa at Malaria Consortium, Dr. Kolawole Maxwell, warned against poor alignment in implementation.
“Our shared vision remains clear: a world free of malaria. This strategy provides clarity, discipline, and direction. Let us move forward with purpose, partnership, and determination,” he said.
Maxwell, who also chairs the Malaria Technical Working Group, outlined four core pillars of the strategy: high-impact implementation, research generation and application, policy and practice strengthening, and partnership building backed by organisational capacity.
“Together, we can deliver measurable impact today and lasting transformation for generations to come,” he said.
Also, WHO Representative and Head of Mission for Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, reaffirmed the agency’s support for Nigeria’s malaria elimination drive.
“As the country with the highest malaria burden globally, Nigeria’s progress is pivotal to achieving regional and global targets. The clarity of action and data-informed decision-making demonstrated in this strategy are timely and commendable,” he said.
