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By Doris Obinna
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that Lagos is on a decisive path toward eliminating malaria, vowing to push the state’s prevalence rate below one percent and sustain progress through accountability, data transparency, and community ownership.
Speaking at the Mid-term Review of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination in Lagos State, held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu said the fight against malaria had moved beyond aspiration to measurable results, with digital innovations driving surveillance and improved diagnosis across health facilities.
“When we kicked off this initiative on March 4, we had a clear vision: to transform hope into measurable results and shift Lagos from a high-burden malaria zone to one on the brink of elimination. Today’s review is more than a formality; it is a critical checkpoint in our journey to a malaria-free Lagos,” the Governor said.
He explained that the state’s digital reporting system, now fully operational in public and private facilities, had bridged information gaps and integrated community pharmacies and patent medicine vendors into malaria case management.
According to him, the innovation ensures that “every Lagosian has access to rapid testing and the right treatment, when and where necessary.” He called on residents to take ownership of prevention by eliminating mosquito breeding sites, testing before treatment, and trusting the health system.
He also commended the support of partners, including the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation (WHO), and the National Malaria Elimination Programme, stressing that Lagos must remain a shining example of malaria control in West Africa.
On his part, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, praised Lagos for pioneering strategies that he described as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s health system. He highlighted the integration of community providers into digital surveillance and the use of real-time reporting tools as innovations that would shape the country’s malaria elimination strategy.
“Lagos is showing us that malaria elimination is possible with strong leadership, data-driven interventions, and community engagement,” Pate said, reaffirming the Federal Government’s support.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, presented data showing that malaria prevalence in the state has fallen to about one percent, with only 5.6 percent of fever cases in informal healthcare outlets testing positive. He stressed that most fevers are now malaria-negative and warned that presumptive treatment without testing risks drug misuse and delayed recovery.
The review, attended by senior government officials, global partners, and private sector stakeholders, ended with a renewed pledge to intensify surveillance, enforce diagnostic compliance, and expand public health communication as Lagos advances from malaria pre-elimination to eventual elimination.
