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Lagos State is setting a new standard in Nigeria’s long battle against malaria, showing that the disease can be controlled and ultimately eliminated through strong leadership, partnerships, and data-driven action.
According to the World Malaria Report 2024, Nigeria recorded more than 68 million clinical malaria cases and 184,000 deaths in 2023, the highest burden of any country worldwide. Yet, amid these grim figures, experts say Lagos State stands out as a rare success story.
Also, Director, ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Wellington Oyibo and Deputy Managing Director, Society for Family Health (SFH), Nigeria, Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, disclosed that over the past decade, malaria prevalence among children under five in Lagos has fallen to below five per cent, compared to the national average of 22 per cent.
This achievement according to them now places Lagos among the few Nigerian states classified as low-transmission areas, positioning it firmly on the path to malaria pre-elimination.
They attribute this progress to deliberate policies and sustained investments in public health. “Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos has implemented the Lagos State Malaria Impact Project a comprehensive programme designed to strengthen surveillance, improve diagnosis, and promote evidence-based treatment.
“The project brings together the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Society for Family Health (SFH), Maisha Meds, and the ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Together, these partners are improving data quality, supporting health workers, and ensuring that malaria control efforts are guided by accurate evidence.
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“However, as malaria cases decline, a new challenge has emerged over diagnosis. Many patients with fever continue to receive malaria treatment even when test results are negative, leading to wastage of medicines and delays in identifying other illnesses. A recent study found that only 7 per cent of patients who presented with fever actually had malaria, yet many with negative test results were still treated for it.
“To address this, Lagos has rolled out structured training, supervision, and behaviour change initiatives targeting doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists. These programmes aim to strengthen confidence in diagnostic results and ensure that treatment decisions are based on evidence rather than assumptions. The SFH and the ANDI Centre are providing technical support to standardize best practices across both public and private health facilities.”
Also, health officials emphasise that every suspected malaria case must first be confirmed through microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), which are affordable, quick, and reliable. Treating without testing, they warn, can conceal other serious conditions such as typhoid, dengue, or viral infections.
Residents are also being urged to take responsibility by insisting on malaria tests before treatment. Health workers are being trained to explain test results clearly, guide patients toward identifying the true cause of illness, and prevent unnecessary spending.
The public health experts say Lagos’s success demonstrates what is possible when political commitment, scientific expertise, and community participation come together. But they also caution that complacency must be avoided. “Sustaining these gains will require continued investment in surveillance, data systems, and community awareness. Lagos is now sharing its lessons with other states, with hopes that Nigeria’s broader malaria control programme can replicate its success.
“Malaria remains preventable and treatable, but the Lagos experience shows that progress depends on collective discipline and consistent action. If the state maintains its current course, it could lead Nigeria and Africa toward a future where malaria deaths become a thing of the past.”
