By Prosper Mene
On World Malaria Day 2025, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, issued a powerful call to action, describing malaria as a national emergency that demands and urgent and collective effort. In a statement released by her Media Aide, Busola Kukoyi, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the devastating impact of the disease, which places Nigeria at the forefront of the global malaria burden.
“Today, on World Malaria Day 2025, we are reminded that malaria is not just a public health challenge for Nigeria; it is a national emergency,” Mrs. Tinubu said. “Nigeria bears the heaviest global burden of this disease. We must continue to work hard to reverse this trend.”
The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” resonates as both a rallying cry and a message of hope. Mrs. Tinubu highlighted the need to renew investments in life-saving interventions, raise awareness, and foster a collective commitment to eradicate malaria. She urged government agencies, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, health workers, and community leaders to intensify their efforts.
Nigeria accounts for approximately 27% of global malaria cases, with an estimated 67 million cases in 2022, and 31% of global malaria deaths, particularly among children under five. The First Lady stressed the importance of maintaining clean environments and practicing personal hygiene to curb the spread of the disease, noting that stagnant water remains a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Mrs. Tinubu’s statement aligns with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (2021–2025), which aims to reduce malaria deaths to fewer than 50 per 1,000 live births and achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10% by 2025. Despite progress in recent decades, challenges such as limited access to antimalarials, socio-cultural barriers, and disruptions from extreme weather and conflicts continue to hinder efforts.
The First Lady’s call to action intensifies the urgency of reigniting Nigeria’s fight against malaria. “Malaria ends with us, with our voices, our choices, and our actions,” she said, urging all Nigerians to unite in this critical battle for public health and national development.
