Progress in Malaria Eradication Efforts Highlighted at National Conference
Dr. Maxwell Kolawole, Program Director for the Malaria Consortium’s West and Central Africa Region, underscored the necessity for continuous improvement in malaria eradication initiatives. During his address at the Insecticide Treatment Net (ITN) Campaign Monitoring and Evaluation and “Be in A Net” Project National Dissemination Conference in Abuja, he noted how both malaria vectors and parasites are evolving, necessitating adaptive strategies to combat them effectively.
Dr. Kolawole pointed out that the National Malaria Eradication Program is essential for providing updated information on Nigeria’s progress in combating malaria, including the latest state-level performance metrics. His remarks coincided with this year’s World Health Day theme, which advocates for collaborative efforts and a deeper commitment to scientific approaches in addressing public health challenges.
He urged stakeholders to leverage scientific evidence alongside practical field experience to enhance the implementation of malaria control programs. Open dialogue and the exchange of insights are vital for identifying knowledge gaps, which he believes is crucial for improving malaria control outcomes in endemic regions.
Reaffirming the Malaria Consortium’s role as a reliable technology partner, Dr. Kolawole expressed the organization’s dedication to supporting innovative and effective interventions against malaria. He emphasized that dissemination conferences serve as valuable platforms for fostering informed discussions aimed at bolstering malaria prevention strategies through evidence-based methodologies.
Dr. Nnena Ogbulafor, the National Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Eradication Program (NMEP), highlighted the encouraging results of two significant initiatives at the conference. These included the ITN Campaign Monitoring and Evaluation Project in Ondo and Anambra States, as well as the Behavioral Insights Project focused on ITN utilization in Osun State.
In a goodwill message, the Anambra State government commended the contributions of the Malaria Consortium, noting marked improvements in key indicators. Dr. Uchebo Obiageli highlighted a reduction in malaria prevalence from 9% to 5%, along with a significant increase in household ownership of insecticide-treated nets from 27% in 2021 to 46.4% in 2025. Usage also saw an uptick from 20% to 27% during this period.
The distribution of over 3.8 million treated nets and ongoing entomological studies on vector susceptibility were acknowledged as crucial for informed decision-making regarding future procurements. Dr. Obiageli concluded that these results reflect substantial progress in the state’s malaria control efforts.
Similarly, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, the Ondo State Health Commissioner, noted that the Malaria Consortium has become a well-known entity in the state, attributing this to its long-standing contributions to the health sector. President Dr. Richard Adesoji recalled integrating research and evaluation in program implementation during his previous role as Director of Public Health, which supported the distribution of insecticide treatment nets.
He emphasized that beyond mere distribution, the organization conducts extensive research on coverage, usage, community behavior, and mosquito vector patterns through household-level entomological surveillance. This evidence-based approach is expected to enhance program analysis and public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children under five and pregnant women in the ongoing battle against malaria.
