FG Moves to Expand Infant Malaria Protection Nationwide
Federal Government begins policy work to expand a new malaria prevention programme for infants after encouraging research findings.
The Federal Government has begun policy preparations for the nationwide rollout of Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention (PMC), a new intervention designed to protect infants from malaria. The move follows encouraging findings from an implementation study, with the PMC rollout expected to strengthen efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths among children under five.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the decision on Wednesday during the Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention (PMC) Dissemination Meeting in Abuja. He directed the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) to begin policy work that will support the wider introduction of the intervention across Nigeria.
Salako said the government’s decision followed positive results from the implementation research, although authorities would also assess the cost-effectiveness of the programme before adopting it on a larger scale. He stated, “Let me appreciate the team that was on the field to conduct this study that is showing very promising outcomes. As government, we would also like to see the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, which is equally important. In the interim, let me direct the Department of Public Health and the National Malaria Elimination Programme to work towards the policy enablement that will introduce PMC on a larger scale in our arsenal for eliminating malaria from our country.”
He described the meeting as an important step in developing evidence-based strategies to eliminate malaria. Salako recalled that the research began in 2023 after the intervention was included in the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021–2025. The pilot programme focused on generating evidence for Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention, formerly known as Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Infants, particularly for states that do not qualify for Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention.
The intervention targets children under 24 months living in areas with year-round malaria transmission, especially in southern Nigeria. Salako said, “This initiative sought to generate evidence to inform policy adoption for an intervention that would help protect children under 24 months in regions with perennial malaria transmission.”
He added that the programme aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for malaria-endemic countries to strengthen prevention through measures such as vector control, early diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and targeted interventions. According to him, the research was designed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the PMC rollout while providing evidence for its adoption as a targeted strategy to reduce Nigeria’s malaria burden.
Although malaria control has improved, Salako said Nigeria continues to carry the world’s highest malaria burden. He revealed that the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey recorded a decline in malaria prevalence from 42 per cent in 2010 to 15 per cent in 2025. However, the 2025 World Malaria Report showed that Nigeria still accounts for 24.3 per cent of global malaria cases and 30.3 per cent of malaria-related deaths.
He said, “Though this progress is commendable, the urgency of this moment cannot be overstated.” He added that the meeting would help stakeholders review the research findings and decide the best approach for expanding the PMC rollout to reduce under-five mortality.
Salako said the intervention would also improve equity in malaria prevention, noting that while Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention has protected thousands of children in northern Nigeria, Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention could provide similar protection for children in southern states where malaria transmission occurs throughout the year.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to malaria elimination, he said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue implementing the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 through stronger health systems, integrated healthcare delivery and efficient use of resources. He added, “The adoption of PMC is among the bold steps we are prepared to take based on the evidence to be provided today.”
Salako also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving public health and prioritising malaria elimination. He said, “Eliminating malaria and related diseases remains firmly at the centre of this commitment, not as a slogan but as a strategic priority. Together, with commitment and partnership, we will change the story. Together, we will drive down the burden of malaria. And together, we will move decisively toward a malaria-free Nigeria.”
The minister also praised the Gates Foundation, Malaria Consortium, federal agencies, state governments and frontline health workers for supporting the research and advancing Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate malaria.
What impact do you think the PMC rollout could have on reducing malaria deaths among young children in Nigeria?
