Nigeria Records Major Malaria Decline As Prevalence Falls To 15.2%

Nigeria has recorded a major decline in malaria prevalence over the past 15 years, with the rate dropping from 42 per cent in 2010 to 15.2 per cent in 2025, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Michael Adekunle Charles.

Charles disclosed this while highlighting the progress made in the country’s fight against one of its most persistent public health challenges, noting that the reduction reflects years of coordinated interventions by government agencies, development partners, healthcare workers, civil society organisations and local communities.

He said the achievement demonstrates that sustained investments in malaria prevention and control measures are yielding tangible results, despite Nigeria remaining one of the countries with the highest malaria burden globally.

According to him, expanded access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets, improved diagnostic services, effective treatment programmes, public awareness campaigns and strengthened disease surveillance have all contributed to the decline in malaria prevalence.

The RBM chief stressed that while the progress is encouraging, there is a need to sustain momentum through increased funding, stronger partnerships and wider adoption of proven malaria control strategies.

He also called for greater investment in preventive measures, including seasonal malaria chemoprevention, environmental sanitation and the deployment of malaria vaccines for vulnerable groups, particularly children and pregnant women.

Charles noted that achieving long-term malaria elimination would require a whole-of-society approach involving governments, the private sector, development partners and citizens working together to address both health and environmental factors that contribute to the spread of the disease.

Health experts have described the reduction in prevalence as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s public health journey, noting that malaria continues to pose serious risks, especially to children under five years of age and pregnant women.

Despite the decline, stakeholders warn that millions of malaria cases are still recorded annually across the country, underscoring the need for sustained interventions to prevent a resurgence of the disease.

The latest figures come as Nigeria intensifies efforts under its national malaria control and elimination strategies aimed at further reducing infections, lowering mortality rates and ultimately eliminating malaria as a public health threat.