Nigeria turns to local data to improve malaria control

Nigeria is adopting a localized approach to combat malaria, moving away from a uniform strategy, according to new research by Nigeria Health Watch. The research examines how subnational tailoring (SNT) is utilized to pinpoint malaria requirements in various states and local government areas, influencing intervention decisions and funding allocation.

Nigeria embraced SNT in 2019, following the World Health Organization's High Burden to High Impact initiative. This method acknowledges that malaria transmission, health system capacity, poverty, conflict, and climate conditions vary significantly across the nation. Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized that malaria's impact does not affect every community in Nigeria equally, and hence, responses must be tailored accordingly.

She highlighted that local evidence is crucial in identifying areas with the most pressing needs and in determining which interventions should receive limited resources. The introduction of the National Malaria Data Repository in 2020 has facilitated access to malaria data, offering a more comprehensive evidence base for decision-making.

By 2023, seasonal malaria chemoprevention had expanded to 21 out of Nigeria's 36 states, with SNT evidence guiding the distribution of insecticide-treated nets in southern Nigeria, targeting indoor residual spraying in malaria hotspots, and supporting the introduction of the R21 malaria vaccine in selected states. Nigeria's national malaria parasite prevalence has decreased from 27% in 2015 to 15% in 2025, as per the research.

Local data has also influenced funding decisions, informing Global Fund grant negotiations and U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative investment choices based on subnational analysis, intervention planning, and costed operational plans. Despite the advancements, the research outlines several challenges that could impact the sustainability of SNT, such as gaps in routine surveillance and private-sector data, disparities in technical and analytical capabilities, unreliable financing, fragmented supply chains, and logistical issues.

The researchers recommend incorporating SNT into annual health planning and budgeting, investing in local analytical capacity, improving data quality, and using evidence more effectively when allocating limited resources. For donors, the research suggests that funding should align with priorities identified through SNT to minimize duplication and better reflect differences in malaria burden and health system needs across states.

A virtual briefing is scheduled for August 18, 2026, ahead of World Mosquito Day, where journalists, researchers, and other stakeholders will discuss the findings and strategies for maintaining a more targeted malaria response.