By Jennete Ugo Anya
As countries recently marked World Malaria Day, global efforts to eliminate malaria continue alongside persistent challenges, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths recorded in 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that since 2000, about 2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths have been averted, while 47 countries have been certified malaria-free, including two in 2024 and three in 2025. The number of malaria-endemic countries declined from 108 in 2000 to 80 in 2024, with more countries reporting lower case burdens.
Despite these gains, the WHO noted that progress is being affected by drug and insecticide resistance, climate-related factors, and declining investment, which continue to expose vulnerable populations.
In Nigeria, according to data, malaria remains a major public health concern, with about 97 percent of the population at risk. The 2025 World Malaria Report indicates that Nigeria accounts for 24.3 percent of global malaria cases and 30.3 percent of deaths, as well as 54.6 percent of cases in West Africa in 2024.
Data from the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) 2025 show a reduction in national malaria prevalence from 42 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2025. According to Nnenna Ogbulafor, National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the decline reflects improvements in prevention, treatment, and awareness.
She stated that Nigeria has developed a National Malaria Strategic Implementation Plan (2026–2030) aimed at reducing parasite prevalence and malaria-related deaths by 50 percent, while targeting lower transmission levels across states.
Ogbulafor noted that no state is currently classified under high transmission based on WHO criteria, with Lagos and Plateau states categorised as low transmission and other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, classified as moderate.
She added that approved anti-malaria drugs remain effective, with efficacy levels above established benchmarks, while surveillance systems are in place to monitor resistance patterns. Nigeria has also recorded insecticide resistance and is deploying new-generation nets and vector control measures, including larval source management.
The country is expanding malaria vaccination programmes, with rollout underway in states including Kebbi, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Ondo, targeting children for protection against the disease.
According to the Malaria Consortium, Nigeria incurs an estimated $1.1 billion annually in costs related to malaria treatment, prevention, and productivity losses. The Global Fund has committed $365 million to malaria interventions in Nigeria under the GC7 programme covering 2024 to 2026.
However, support from the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has been reduced from 11 to seven states.
The Executive Director of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund, Tajudeen Ibrahim, stated that progress in malaria control has been supported by improved surveillance, wider distribution of insecticide-treated nets, seasonal chemoprevention, and enhanced case management.
He identified ongoing challenges, including funding gaps, poverty, undernutrition, overcrowding, and a detection gap of nearly 40 percent, which continue to affect malaria outcomes.
The National Coordinator of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Ayo Ipinmoye, highlighted resource constraints and the need for increased investment from government, private sector, and development partners. He also emphasised the role of community participation in prevention efforts.
A Professor of Paediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Calabar, Martin Madu Meremikwu, noted that drug resistance remains a concern globally, although current treatments in Nigeria continue to show effectiveness based on ongoing studies.
An Associate Professor of Chemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University, Olatomide Fadare, identified local production of pharmaceutical inputs and increased research collaboration as key to strengthening malaria control efforts.
The report highlights continued progress alongside persistent structural and funding challenges in efforts to eliminate malaria in Nigeria and globally.
