FG eyes 50% reduction in malaria deaths by 2030

The Federal Government of Nigeria has set a target to reduce malaria prevalence and malaria-attributable deaths by 50 percent by 2030. A recent survey revealed that while malaria parasite prevalence among children aged 6 to 59 months has declined from 22 percent in 2021 to 15 percent in 2025, only 45 percent of children under five slept under an insecticide-treated mosquito net the night before the survey.

Additionally, only 18 percent of children under five with fever in the past two weeks had their blood tested for malaria. The survey also found significant disparities in malaria prevalence across states, ranging from 2 percent in Lagos State to 31 percent in Ebonyi State. The new National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 aims to address these gaps in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and financing.

It seeks to increase access to and utilization of malaria prevention interventions to at least 80 percent by 2030 and achieve at least 90 percent effective coverage of malaria diagnosis and appropriate treatment among at-risk populations. The plan emphasizes the importance of strengthening domestic financing, improving surveillance, expanding preventive interventions, and ensuring vulnerable and underserved populations are not left behind.