Scientists warn that Nigeria’s progress against malaria is under serious threat due to the emergence of a new urban mosquito species and rising resistance to drugs and insecticides.
Dr. Adeola Olukosi, of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), cautioned that without urgent action, years of gains could be reversed.
A key danger is the confirmation of Anopheles stephensi, a mosquito species that thrives in cities, breeds in man-made containers, and shows genetic resistance to multiple insecticides.
First detected in Gombe State, its spread risks turning urban areas into new malaria hotspots.
Furthermore, widespread pyrethroid resistance is undermining the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets. While drug resistance to key preventative medicines remains low for now, ongoing molecular surveillance is critical to guide treatment policies and protect vulnerable groups.
Nigeria is contributing to global malaria science through networks like MalariaGEN, but Olukosi stressed that the evolving parasite and mosquito demand an equally adaptive national response.
She urged the immediate strengthening of surveillance and control strategies to prevent a major setback in the fight against the disease.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
