Nigeria Records 15.2% Child Malaria Prevalence as Federal Government Targets 50% Reduction in Infections and Deaths by 2030.

Nigeria Records 15.2% Child Malaria Prevalence as Federal Government Targets 50% Reduction in Infections and Deaths by 2030.

Federal Government has announced a significant decline in malaria parasite prevalence among Nigerian children aged six to 59 months, dropping from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15.2 per cent in 2025, as the country intensifies efforts to reduce malaria infections and related deaths by 50 per cent by 2030.

The figures were disclosed during the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) Report and the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026 2030 in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, described the reduction as evidence of progress in Nigeria’s malaria control efforts.

The decline represents a reduction of 6.8 percentage points between 2021 and 2025, equivalent to approximately 31 per cent relative to the 2021 prevalence rate.

The government has set a target to reduce malaria prevalence and malaria-related deaths by 50 per cent by 2030, building on the progress recorded through ongoing public health interventions and partnerships.

Government Unveils New Malaria Control Strategy

The launch of the 2025 NMIS report alongside the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026 2030 is intended to strengthen the country’s response to one of its most persistent public health challenges.

The strategic plan is designed to guide malaria prevention and treatment interventions over the next four years, with an emphasis on evidence based planning and directing resources towards communities with the greatest disease burden.

The government has also stressed the importance of cooperation among federal and state authorities, healthcare institutions, development partners and local communities in achieving the national targets.

The survey provides data intended to help policymakers assess progress, identify gaps in malaria prevention and improve the allocation of resources across the country.

Children Remain a Priority in Nigeria’s Malaria Response

Children under five remain particularly vulnerable to malaria, making the reduction in infections among this age group an important indicator of progress in the country’s public health response.

Preventive measures, including the consistent use of insecticide treated mosquito nets, prompt diagnosis, effective treatment and public awareness campaigns, remain essential to reducing infections and preventing severe illness.

Pregnant women are also among the groups at heightened risk of malaria complications, reinforcing the need for accessible prevention and treatment services.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria’s malaria control efforts have benefited from sustained interventions and collaboration with relevant health organisations and development partners.

However, declining prevalence does not mean the disease has been eliminated. Maintaining progress will require consistent implementation of prevention programmes, reliable access to treatment and stronger health systems at national and state levels.

Sustaining Progress Towards the 2030 Target

The latest figures offer encouragement for Nigeria’s malaria elimination ambitions, but achieving the government’s 2030 target will depend on whether the decline can be sustained and translated into fewer severe cases and deaths.

Effective implementation of the National Malaria Strategic Plan will require adequate funding, stronger disease surveillance, improved healthcare delivery and continued public participation in prevention programmes.

State governments will also have an important role in adapting interventions to local conditions, particularly in communities where malaria transmission remains relatively high.

For households, consistent use of mosquito nets, elimination of stagnant water around homes, and seeking prompt medical attention when malaria symptoms occur remain important preventive measures.

The challenge ahead is to ensure that the progress reflected in national survey figures produces lasting improvements in child survival and public health outcomes across Nigeria.

As the country moves towards 2030, sustained investment, accountability and coordinated action will be critical to reducing the malaria burden and protecting vulnerable populations.