Malaria prevalence falls to 15.2% among Nigerian children
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Dailytrust
Malaria prevalence among Nigerian children aged six to 59 months fell from 22% in 2021 to 15.2% in 2025. The government is targeting a further 50% reduction in prevalence and malaria-related deaths by 2030, according to Health Minister Muhammad Pate.
Malaria parasite prevalence among Nigerian children aged six to 59 months fell from 22% in 2021 to 15.2% in 2025. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, presented the figures in Abuja on Thursday, at the launch of the 2025 Nigerian Malaria Indicator Survey and the 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan, Daily Trust reports.
The federal government is targeting a 50% reduction in malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths by 2030. Muhammad Pate nevertheless warned that the decline recorded did not mean the disease had been eliminated. In Kebbi State, prevalence fell from 49% in 2021 to 18% in 2025.
Among children living in households that owned insecticide-treated nets, 72.3% slept under a net. The proportion reached 80.6% among pregnant women, according to the minister, who called for greater regular use of this prevention method.
The national coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Nnenna Ogbulafor, said the new plan was intended to guide action by the government, development partners, civil society and the states until 2030. She highlighted disparities between states and the need to adapt interventions to local circumstances, after the previous strategic plan expired in 2025.
