The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) distributed over 320 million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and 450 million blisters of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to children under five years since 2009.

Nnenna Ogbulafor, NMEP’s national coordinator, made this known in Minna during the inauguration of the 2025 mass campaign for the distribution of the nets in Minna on Thursday.

The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Global Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Malaria Consortium, and Society for Family Health.

Ms Ogbulafor, represented by Mary Esema, head of integrated vector management at NMEP, said the interventions had significantly contributed to reducing malaria prevalence and under-five mortality rate across the country.

She stated that the ITN mass campaign, which commenced in 2009, and the introduction of SPAQ in 2013 had positioned Nigeria as a leader in malaria prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

“These efforts reflect the federal government’s commitment, alongside its partners, to protect vulnerable populations, especially children and pregnant women, from malaria,” she said.

She commended the Niger government for demonstrating strong leadership and commitment in the fight against malaria, noting that more than 11.4 million ITNs had been distributed in the state since 2009.

Earlier, Ibrahim Idris, director of public health at the Ministry for Secondary Health, said the campaign was part of the government’s continued efforts to reduce the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels in Niger.

Mr Idris said malaria remained one of the leading public health challenges in the state, with a prevalence rate of 21 per cent, contributing significantly to the country’s 68 million annual cases.

He explained that about 3.2 million ITNs would be distributed to households, while over 1.5 million children would receive monthly doses of SPAQ to prevent malaria during the rainy season.

“The goal of this integrated campaign is to ensure universal coverage and at least 80 per cent utilisation of treated nets in all communities,” Mr Idris said.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Imam, permanent secretary, Niger Ministry of Health, said the state government under Governor Umaru Bago had prioritised the health of residents, particularly women and children.

Ayuba Apagu, state programme manager, Malaria Consortium, who spoke on behalf of the development partners, said the campaign marked another milestone in the collective efforts to make Niger malaria-free.

Mustapha Jibrin, chairman-elect of Chanchaga Local Government, pledged the council’s support to ensure full compliance at the grassroots level.

(NAN)