World Malaria Day: Nigerian govt to roll out vaccines in 17 more states

Nigeria’s federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating malaria in the country by 2030, promising to roll out vaccines in more states in 2025.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday at an event to commemorate the 2025 World Malaria Day, Dr Iziaq Salako, minister of state for health and social welfare, said malaria continues to disproportionately affect Nigeria.

He quoted the 2024 World Malaria Report stating that Nigeria accounts for 27 percent of global cases and 31 percent of malaria-related deaths.

“Malaria is often underestimated, yet it continues to wreak havoc, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. Our response must be aggressive, focused, and sustained,” he said.

At the event themed “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reignite, Reimagine”, Salako said that the malaria vaccine rollout, initiated in December 2024 in Kebbi and Bayelsa states, will be expanded to 17 more states this year, targeting children aged 5 to 23 months.

The minister also announced the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in 12 states, including Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, and Oyo, and said more than 30 million children across 21 northern states would benefit from Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).

In a move to disrupt mosquito breeding grounds, the government will pilot Larval Source Management in six states, including Lagos, Ekiti, and Borno.

The minister acknowledged the crucial role of the private sector in malaria control. He praised the Nigeria End Malaria Council, chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for galvanizing funding and technical support.

He also praised frontline health workers and the media for their roles in service delivery and public awareness and thanked global partners including the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, and Malaria Consortium for their continued support.

“This is a national emergency, and our response must reflect that reality,” he said.

“Malaria ends with us. Everyone, government, communities, private sector, and individuals, must take ownership.”

Salako encouraged Nigerians to adopt prevention practices such as using treated nets, maintaining clean environments, and seeking early diagnosis and treatment.