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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Government has expressed fear that the global target for the elimination of malaria in Nigeria might be unrealistic if local forces, including funding, are not mobilized adequately.
The government stated that 90 percent of global malaria cases are reported in Nigeria and a few other African countries. Hence, the efforts to eliminate the disease require local solutions and support of stakeholders.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate stated this in Abuja on Thursday at The Big Push Malaria Conference on the theme: “Harnessing Africa’s central role for the big push against malaria.”
The minister lamented that Nigeria and Africa have outsourced the fight against malaria largely to external actors despite being responsible for 90 per cent of global malaria burden. So, have we owned it sufficiently? And if we have, have we then applied our resources, our collective efforts in a way that solves it in our own domestic context? Or are we still waiting for the solutions from Geneva, from other places to actually.
“I think that’s a very tough thing to say that while we have tremendous appreciation for the billions of dollars spent by actors like the Global Fund, Gates Foundation, and all the resources and bilateral support that have come because it’s from taxpayers and the generosity of many countries’ tax payers.
“But as countries, have we internalized that this is our problem fundamentally? And what have we decided to do about that? Unless we cross that and apply ourselves, I don’t think in the current context we can expect that things will change. Nigeria hosted the effort to rethink malaria elimination last year. And we thought, how do we domesticate our effort in the context of Nigeria’s political, social, and economic context and our own governance? And how do we drive it still with some external financing, but how do we also drive domestic financing? I have to admit that we are still struggling. We haven’t figured it all out. But at least we have made the first step.”
The minister, however, registered the frustrations of the government to the poor uptake of the malaria vaccines in the pilot states, namely, Bayelsa and Kebbi, but assured that the government is working with relevant authorities for more enlightenment.
He suggested that the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership transfer its headquarters back to Africa, considering the fact that Africa bears the burden of malaria.
The representative of the Malaria Technical Working Group (MTWG), Lynda Ozo, explained that the meeting provides a unique opportunity to confront critical issues such as sustainable financing, poverty, complex operating contexts, and the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration.
“The road ahead will not be without challenges. Climate change, population movements, insecurity, insecticide resistance, and funding gaps remain significant barriers. But with new tools, strong leadership, and national commitment, we are confident that Nigeria can accelerate the march towards elimination.”
As technical partners, she pledged full support in translating the vision of the “Big Push Against Malaria” into measurable, impactful, and sustainable outcomes while advancing a broader health and development agenda.
National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor, in her remarks, stated that malaria is an epidemic that requires local commitment and funding to tackle.
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“The Big Push Against Malaria is a continental effort that’s brought down to the national level. In Nigeria, we are galvanising efforts to solidify ongoing interventions and open the space for new opportunities.
“We are targeting local productions of some of the things we need to fight malaria. For instance, we have distributed over 600 million insecticide-treated nets in the past few years, but they are not produced here. Local manufacturer is coming very soon. This means more opportunities and employment.”
Chief Executive Officer of RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Dr. Micheal Charles commended the efforts of the government to fight against malaria in Nigeria and beyond.
He restated the commitment of RBM Partnership to the global target as regards malaria elimination in Africa and beyond.
Godwin Ogah, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control in his remarks, told the gathering that the House Committee is ready to take the lead by providing legislative mechanisms and interventions to support the fight against Malaria in Nigeria.
“That is why we are calling for the creation of a budget line for malaria in the National Budget of Nigeria in the meantime, as it is obtainable in some African countries, to address funding gaps and boost domestic financing of our malaria response activities.
“Now that Africa is at a critical point in the fight against malaria, the need for a Big Push against Malaria can not be overemphasized.”
And for Africa not to miss the opportunity of meeting the SDG 2030 target of eliminating AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria, a joint effort by partners to take urgent, coordinated
actions that will leverage on country-led
frameworks such as the AU catalytic framework and the Yaoundé and Abuja declarations are required.
“We must embrace innovations, focus on multi-sectoral collaborations, financing and
community engagement and also implement homegrown solutions, commit to leadership and best practices to galvanize momentum, and drive political will for tangible action towards malaria elimination in Africa.
