By Chioma Obinna
The Federal Government has reported a decline in malaria parasite prevalence among children aged six to 59 months from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15.2 per cent in 2025, while setting a target to halve malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths by 2030.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) Report and the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 in Abuja.
Pate, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the 6.8 percentage-point decline reflected progress in the country’s malaria control efforts but warned that the gains must be sustained.
He said the Federal Government was targeting a 50 per cent reduction in malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths from their respective 2025 levels by 2030.
The minister, however, cautioned against interpreting the decline as evidence that malaria had been brought under control nationwide, stressing the need for stronger prevention, surveillance and funding.
He cited Kebbi State as an example of significant improvement, with malaria prevalence reportedly dropping from 49 per cent in 2021 to 18 per cent in 2025.
Pate said the findings underscored the importance of using reliable data to identify high-burden communities and direct interventions where they would have the greatest impact.
Bed-net use remains a concern
The minister also highlighted the need to improve the consistent use of insecticide-treated nets, a major tool for preventing malaria transmission.
According to the survey findings, 72.3 per cent of children and 80.6 per cent of pregnant women in households that owned insecticide-treated nets slept under one.
He said the figures demonstrated the need to strengthen public awareness and ensure that households translated access to preventive tools into consistent use.
New strategy targets high-burden areas
Pate said the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 was aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and would be implemented through the Sector-Wide Approach, guided by the principle of “One Plan, One Budget, One Report, One Conversation.”
He explained that the plan’s sub-national tailoring approach would enable authorities to direct resources and interventions according to the malaria burden and epidemiological circumstances of individual states and communities.
The minister urged state governments to take ownership of their respective survey findings, align malaria control plans and budgets with identified needs, and ensure timely release of funds.
He also called on development partners to align their financial and technical support with national priorities.
NPC calls for data-driven interventions
The Director-General of the National Population Commission, Dr Abuh Muhammed, said the survey demonstrated the value of collaboration between the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the commission.
He said the partnership combined technical expertise in malaria control with the commission’s survey infrastructure and field operations, providing evidence to guide national planning.
Muhammed reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking and urged government officials and development partners to use the findings to direct resources to areas with the greatest need.
Pate commended the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the National Population Commission and other partners involved in producing the survey.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening domestic financing, improving surveillance and sustaining coordinated action to reduce malaria cases and deaths.
The 2030 target will require sustained investment in prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment and routine health services, alongside targeted interventions in communities where malaria transmission remains high.
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