Nigeria has been identified as the country with the highest malaria mortality burden globally, accounting for about 24% of worldwide malaria deaths and an estimated 38% of deaths among children under five, according to health experts.
This was disclosed during the 2026 World Malaria Day commemoration held in Enugu State, where stakeholders raised concerns over the continued threat of malaria and the emerging risk of antimalarial drug resistance.
Dr. Bright Orji, Country Project Manager for Jhpiego, warned that resistance to existing malaria treatments could worsen the country’s already severe health burden if urgent preventive measures are not sustained.
He explained that Nigeria’s contribution to global malaria deaths remains alarmingly high, particularly among children under five, stressing the need for stronger intervention strategies to prevent drug resistance from spreading.
To address this challenge, the Federal Government, in collaboration with Jhpiego and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), has introduced the STOP-AMDR initiative, which is being piloted in Enugu and Kwara States.
The programme focuses on Multiple First-Line Therapies, a strategy that involves using different Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies to reduce the risk of parasites developing resistance to a single drug.
Dr. Orji also confirmed the gradual rollout of a malaria vaccine targeting children under five, describing it as an additional layer of protection alongside existing preventive measures.
At the same event, the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) announced a health insurance intervention covering 1,000 pregnant women in Enugu State to improve access to antenatal and delivery services.
ECEWS officials said the initiative would help reduce financial barriers to maternal healthcare, while also improving productivity and economic stability in the state.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, credited ongoing health reforms and awareness campaigns for the state’s progress, noting that malaria prevalence has dropped significantly from 24.5% to about 9%.
He added that free malaria testing and treatment are currently available across hundreds of health facilities in the state, alongside intensified public sensitisation efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also warned that despite progress, funding gaps and climate-related factors continue to threaten malaria control efforts, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that ongoing interventions could help drive malaria prevalence in Enugu toward zero and serve as a model for nationwide elimination efforts.
