FG Reports Malaria Prevalence Drop to 15.2%
**Abuja, Nigeria—October 22, 2026—**The Federal Government has reported a significant decline in malaria parasite prevalence among children aged 6–59 months, from 22 percent in 2021 to 15.2 percent in 2025, and set a target to reduce malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths by 50 percent from 2025 levels by 2030.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) Report and the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030, held on Thursday in Abuja. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom S. mni.
Progress and Caution
The Minister described the 6.8 percentage-point decline as meaningful progress in Nigeria’s malaria response, consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He highlighted Kebbi State, where prevalence fell from 49 per cent in 2021 to 18 per cent in 2025, but cautioned that such gains must not be mistaken for elimination.
Among households owning insecticide-treated nets, 72.3 per cent of children and 80.6 per cent of pregnant women slept under one, underscoring the need to strengthen consistent use of this key preventive tool.
New Strategic Plan Aligned with Reforms
The National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 is aligned with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and is being advanced through the Sector-Wide Approach under the principle of “One Plan, One Budget, One Report, One Conversation.”
Its Sub-National Tailoring approach will focus interventions on high-burden areas based on local epidemiological evidence.
Director-General of the National Population Commission, Dr. Abuh Muhammed, said the survey demonstrates the value of partnership between the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Commission. He urged policymakers and partners to use the findings to direct resources where they are most needed.
Prof. Pate called on state governments to take ownership of their NMIS findings, align plans and budgets with identified needs, and ensure timely release of funds.
He also urged development partners to align investments with national priorities and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening domestic financing, improving surveillance, and sustaining a coordinated national malaria response.
This report is based on the official press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on October 22, 2026.
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