World Health Organization (WHO) building in Geneva, Switzerland, February 2, 2020. Picture taken February 2, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
Nigeria records significant drop in malaria prevalence, says WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that Nigeria is making substantial progress in its fight against malaria, citing a steady decline in infection rates and increased access to prevention and treatment services nationwide.
According to the global health body, this improvement is the result of strengthened surveillance systems, expanded distribution of insecticide-treated nets, wider seasonal malaria chemoprevention programmes, and better case management across the country.
Speaking at the National Dissemination Meeting of the Enhance Project, organised by Malaria Consortium in collaboration with state authorities, WHO Malaria Programme Manager Dr. Lynda Ozor disclosed that the latest Malaria Indicator Survey confirms a sustained downward trend in prevalence.
Dr. Ozor revealed that malaria prevalence has dropped significantly from 42 percent in 2010 to 22 percent in 2021, with recent data indicating further declines. She described the development as clear evidence that Nigeria’s integrated approach to malaria control is yielding results.
“We are now seeing the benefits of those efforts,” she stated.
Addressing concerns about the malaria vaccine currently being administered in select states, Dr. Ozor emphasised that WHO recommends vaccines only after rigorous scientific evaluation. She explained that all medical products undergo extensive testing before approval, with Nigerian regulatory authorities, including NAFDAC, conducting independent assessments prior to deployment.
She dismissed claims linking the vaccine to depopulation or hidden harmful effects, describing such narratives as misinformation often propagated by anti-vaccine groups. Citing the RTS,S vaccine as an example, she noted it underwent approximately 34 years of research and development, including extensive Phase Three trials. The vaccine has limited side effects, similar to many medical products, such as mild headache, and is safe for human use.
While acknowledging that vaccine hesitancy is not new, Dr. Ozor observed that many communities had long anticipated the malaria vaccine and warmly welcomed its introduction.
National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Chizaram Ogbulafor, disclosed that Nigeria began deploying the malaria vaccine in 2024, starting with Kebbi and Bayelsa States under a phased rollout, with Bauchi State recently added to the list.
Represented by Dr. Shekarau Emmanuel, she explained that the Enhance Project was introduced to improve vaccine uptake after coverage fell below expectations.
The vaccine is administered in four doses at five, six and seven months, with a booster at 15 months, through Nigeria’s routine immunisation schedule.
Programme Director for West and Central Africa at Malaria Consortium, Dr. Kolawole Maxwell, noted that while evidence confirms the vaccine’s efficacy, its impact depends on reaching all eligible children.
He explained that the Enhance Project is deploying innovative approaches, including leveraging existing seasonal malaria chemoprevention teams to encourage caregivers to vaccinate their children.
Representing the Commissioner of Health in Kebbi State, Mr. Usman Magaji expressed appreciation for Malaria Consortium’s technical support, describing their contribution as impactful and instrumental in improving children’s lives and strengthening communities.
He acknowledged that while previous health projects had shown change was possible, malaria remained a stubborn challenge, adding that partnership and integration are essential to building a malaria-free future.
Public Health Specialist at Malaria Consortium, Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Ibikunle, revealed that malaria vaccine coverage in Kebbi improved significantly following the Enhance Project’s intervention, rising from 34 percent at baseline to 78.7 percent at endline in intervention Arm 1, and from 47.3 percent to 89 percent in intervention Arm 2.
The project was implemented in three non-randomised LGAs: Birnin Kebbi (intervention arm 2), Koko Besse (intervention arm 1) and Sakaba (control arm).
According to her presentation, the initiative sought to identify effective strategies for maximising the health impact of malaria vaccines in highly seasonal transmission areas, leveraging routine age-based immunisation and house-to-house seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns.
She disclosed that vaccination timeliness improved significantly, reaching 91.6 percent at endline overall.
Malaria prevalence declined sharply from 13.6 percent at baseline to 1.7 percent at endline, while hospitalisation for febrile illness dropped from 8.4 percent to 2.8 percent. Caregiver awareness also rose markedly from 68.1 percent at baseline to 88.1 percent at endline.
She further explained that Malaria Consortium received a grant from Gavi to conduct implementation research aimed at developing an effective hybrid model for malaria vaccine delivery in Nigeria, focusing on timely demand creation, monitoring and follow-up to maximise protection for eligible children during peak malaria season.
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