The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Malaria Strategic Plan (2026–2030), targeting a 50 per cent reduction in malaria prevalence and mortality by 2030.

Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a press conference to commemorate the 2026 World Malaria Day.

Mr Salako said the strategy, anchored on sub-national tailoring of interventions, aligns with global and national frameworks, including the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Technical Strategy.

The minister described malaria as a major public health and economic threat, warning against the continued perception of the disease as “ordinary.”

“There is nothing ordinary about malaria. It continues to claim the lives of children, endanger pregnant women, and weaken families and productivity,” he said.

Citing the 2025 World Malaria Report, the minister noted that Nigeria accounts for about 24 per cent of global malaria cases and over 30 per cent of deaths, underscoring the urgency of intensified action.

Despite the heavy burden, he said the country had made notable progress, with malaria prevalence dropping significantly over the years.

He added that Nigeria’s malaria prevalence declined from 42 per cent in 2010 to about 15 per cent in 2025, reflecting gains from sustained interventions.

According to him, no state currently falls within the high transmission category, with most classified as low- or moderate-transmission zones.

He said the new strategy would focus on expanding proven interventions, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and vaccination.

He revealed that over 500 million ITNs had been distributed since 2015, with plans to expand distribution to 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2026.

In addition, he said about 29 million children under five would benefit from seasonal malaria chemoprevention across 21 states.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to scale up malaria vaccination, noting that more than 700,000 children had already been reached in selected states.

The minister said Nigeria was also piloting Larval Source Management in six states as part of efforts to diversify malaria control strategies.

He emphasised that malaria elimination remained a key priority under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the government was committed to strengthening health systems, improving surveillance, and enhancing data-driven decision-making.

Mr Salako called for increased collaboration from development partners, the private sector, and the media to sustain progress.

“Malaria elimination cannot be achieved by the government alone. It requires a whole-of-society approach,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures, including sleeping under treated nets, maintaining clean environments, and seeking prompt diagnosis and treatment.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending malaria, stressing that the cost of inaction was too high for the country. 

(NAN)