The Federal Government has urged African countries to take full control of the fight against malaria, warning that reliance on foreign aid will only delay progress against the deadly disease.
Speaking in Abuja at the Big Push Against Malaria meeting, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said Africa must “own, fund, and act decisively” against a disease that kills nearly 600,000 people each year — with 90% of the burden on the continent.
“Malaria is not someone else’s problem; it is our problem. We cannot continue outsourcing our solutions to Geneva or Washington,” Pate stressed, noting that Nigeria still bears one-third of the global malaria burden despite decades of donor-driven programmes.
He revealed steps Nigeria is taking, including setting up local factories for test kits and mosquito nets, integrating malaria care into primary health centres, and boosting homegrown drug production. “These efforts are not just about health — they are about jobs, innovation, and keeping value in our economy,” he added.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described malaria as “preventable and treatable” but still devastating African communities. Citing WHO data, he said the continent accounted for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths in 2023. “These figures are unacceptable. To defeat malaria, we need a big push that reaches every at-risk population,” he said.
The Abuja meeting, hosted by Nigeria in partnership with Roll Back Malaria and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, is expected to produce a continental roadmap to eliminate malaria by 2030.
