Kogi targets malaria-free state

…As cases continue to drop from 16% in 2021 to 8.9% in 2025

Kogi State Government has announced a significant reduction in malaria prevalence, dropping from 16 percent in 2021 to 8.9 percent in 2025, as it reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the disease across the state.

Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, the State commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Friday at an event marking the 2026 World Malaria Day held at the Ministry of Health, with the theme, ‘Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must,’ as he described malaria as a major public health concern, particularly affecting children under five and pregnant women.
He equally pointed that despite Nigeria accounting for about 24 percent of global malaria burden and 30 percent of malaria-related deaths, Kogi State has made measurable progress through strategic interventions and strong partnerships.

Adeiza attributed the success to the commitment of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside sustained investments and collaboration with development partners.

He said: “The reduction in malaria prevalence from 16 percent in 2021 to 8.9 percent in 2025 shows that our strategies are yielding positive results.”

He highlighted key interventions driving the progress, including the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme implemented by the Malaria Consortium across all 21 local government areas since 2021, which has protected thousands of children, adding that over 3.6 million insecticide-treated nets would be distributed to households across the state before the end of the year to further curb transmission.
He said: “The state has also secured approval to support immunisation activities in three local government areas, while the ISDB LLF project, implemented by Famkris Healthcare Initiative, is ensuring free malaria testing and treatment in public health facilities”.

“The project has strengthened healthcare delivery through capacity building for health workers, improved data management, and installation of incinerators at Specialist Hospital Lokoja and Kabba General Hospital to enhance medical waste management”.

Adeiza emphasized that continuous training of health personnel and community engagement through Ward Development Committees has been critical to sustaining the gains recorded so far.

He commended Governor Ododo for providing leadership, counterpart funding, and logistics support, which he described as instrumental to the success of malaria control programmes in the state, as he praised development partners, stakeholders, and health workers for their resilience and dedication.

While acknowledging the progress made, Adeiza stressed that the fight against malaria was not yet over, urging stakeholders to sustain efforts and strengthen collaboration.

He said: “We must continue to ensure that no one is left behind as we work towards a malaria-free Kogi”.