FG, Malaria Consortium Vow to Eradicate Disease in Nigeria

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The federal government and Malaria Consortium have reaffirmed their resolve to eradicate malaria in Nigeria, pledging closer collaboration under a sector-wide framework that prioritises prevention, elimination, and eradication of the disease.

The renewed commitment was expressed in Abuja during the unveiling of Malaria Consortium Nigeria’s 2026–2029 Strategy, where stakeholders underscored the need for sustainable, locally driven interventions, and stronger integration of malaria control efforts into the broader health system.

Speaking at the event, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria had made measurable progress, reducing malaria prevalence to about 15 per cent.

Represented by Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Charles Nzelu, the minister stated that the government was now placing greater emphasis on ownership, sustainability, and integration — not only in coordination but also in service delivery.

He explained that under the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Initiative, the government aimed to promote good health, ensure safe lives, and reduce the physical and financial burden of diseases, which often pushed families into catastrophic expenditure.

He commended the malaria consortium for aligning its strategy with the government’s sector-wide approach, expressing confidence that steady progress from prevention to elimination — and eventually eradication — is achievable, as demonstrated by Nigeria’s success in combating polio.

“We look forward to the day the World Health Organization certifies Nigeria malaria-free,” he said, adding that the strategy must be actively implemented and not allowed to “gather dust”.

He welcomed the commitment of the organisation’s leadership to drive the process.

In his remarks, Programme Director for West and Central Africa at the Malaria Consortium, Dr Kolawole Maxwell, stressed that strategy alone would not deliver results without collective action.

Maxwell called for stronger alignment among government, donors, academia, the private sector, and communication partners to achieve lasting impact.

“Our shared vision remains clear — a world free of malaria,” he said.

Maxwell added, “This strategy provides clarity, discipline and direction. Let us move forward together with purpose, partnership and determination to deliver measurable impact today and lasting transformation for future generations.”