Nigeria Marks 2025 World Malaria Day With Renewed Commitment To Eliminate The Disease
Princess-Ekwi Ajide,
As the world marks the 2025 World Malaria Day, Nigeria has renewed its commitment to eliminating the deadly disease with strategic interventions, expanded vaccine rollout, and stronger collaboration with partners and the private sector.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing and roundtable discussion in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, decried Nigeria’s alarming share of the global malaria burden—27% of all cases and 31% of deaths.
He described malaria as a disease “often underestimated,” yet it continues to kill thousands, particularly children under five and pregnant women.
Dr. Salako outlined key federal initiatives under the “Rethinking Malaria Initiative,” including the expansion of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in 21 states, insecticide-treated net campaigns in 12 states, larval source management in six states, and the phased rollout of the malaria vaccine to 17 more states in 2025.
He also assured the public of continued access to life-saving malaria treatment, despite the freeze on USAID/PMI support, with local funding already mobilised to bridge the gap.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Kachollom Daju, paid a heartfelt tribute to families who have lost loved ones to malaria, reminding Nigerians that “it is a scourge that should be taken seriously.”
She highlighted the impact of climate change, insecurity, and humanitarian crises on malaria control and praised the dedication of Nigeria’s health workers and partners.
The Permanent Secretary, also recalled the historic Abuja Declaration of April 25, 2000, where African leaders committed to ending malaria.
With this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reignite, Reimagine,” the event served not just as a commemoration, but a rallying call for collective action by government, businesses, media, and individuals to stay committed to ending malaria once and for all.
