FG Unveils 2026–2030 Malaria Plan, Targets 50% Drop In Deaths By 2030
Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
Nigeria has recorded a decline in malaria prevalence from 42 percent in 2010 to 15 per cent in 2025, as the Federal Government rolls out a new National Malaria Strategic Plan aimed at reducing malaria related deaths by 50 per cent by 2030.
The Federal Government on Monday unveiled the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen malaria response and accelerate progress toward elimination, according to a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the plan in Abuja during the 2026 World Malaria Day commemoration, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to improve public health outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the strategy adopts a subnational approach designed to reflect the realities of different states and communities, while aligning with the National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, the Sector Wide Approach and the World Health Organization Global Technical Strategy.
The framework also builds on existing coordination structures, including the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, which provides technical guidance to support evidence based interventions and policy direction.
According to the minister, more than 500 million insecticide treated nets have been distributed since 2015, with plans to expand access this year to 11 states including Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Borno, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Osun, Kwara and Adamawa.
He added that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention will be implemented across 21 eligible states, targeting about 29 million children under five, while malaria vaccine rollout and larval source management interventions are being expanded to strengthen prevention efforts.
The announcement comes amid continued concerns over malaria’s impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant women, with experts often highlighting the need for sustained funding, strong state level implementation and equitable access to interventions to achieve long term reduction targets.