The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Society for Family Health and Goodknight Nigeria, on Friday commemorated World Malaria Day 2025 with a vibrant awareness walk and a strategic stakeholders and media engagement.
EpeInsights reports that the event, themed “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite” was held in Alausa-Ikeja, bringing together health professionals, government officials, development partners, and community leaders in a show of unity and commitment to ending malaria in the state.
The day began with a colorful awareness walk through the Lagos State Secretariat and surrounding Alausa community, where health workers, volunteers, and partners distributed educational materials and sensitized residents on malaria prevention methods.
The walk culminated at the Conference Hall of the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, where Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, delivered a keynote address highlighting the state’s progress.
He revealed that Lagos currently records a malaria prevalence rate of just 1.3%, putting it on the cusp of the World Health Organization’s pre-elimination status.
“Lagos is nearing malaria pre-elimination,” Prof. Abayomi declared. “But despite the low infection rate, antimalarial drugs are still being overused. Data shows that even though only 3% test positive, over 50% of fever cases are still treated as malaria without testing. This trend must change.”
The Commissioner stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis and the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) for confirmed cases.
He also called attention to vulnerable groups—especially pregnant women and children under five—who require extra care in malaria management.
He cited the state’s collaboration with the World Health Organisation, Federal Ministry of Health, and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria under the IMPACT Project as key to Lagos’s progress, noting that Lagos remains committed to the 15-year National Malaria Strategic Plan.
Prof. Abayomi commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for officially endorsing the malaria pre-elimination agenda. “This is not a symbolic declaration—it is a real commitment, backed by political will, strategic planning, and strong partnerships,” he added.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, emphasized the role of community engagement, media advocacy, and behavioral change in the malaria fight. “You, the media, are the bridge between science and society. Help us spread the message: not all fevers are malaria, and not all mosquitoes carry the disease,” she said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, encouraged residents to be smart about their health and finances by testing before treatment. “Only 1.3% to 3% of fever cases turn out to be malaria. This means most people buying antimalarials may be misusing resources. Test first,” he advised.
He also urged wider enrollment in the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme, which provides access to subsidized malaria testing and treatment.
In his remarks, Dr. Stanley Ugah, Project Director of the Society for Family Health IMPACT Project, aligned with the state’s “Test Before Treatment” policy. He emphasized SFH’s role in training healthcare providers and improving access to diagnostics and treatment through World Bank support.
Brand Manager of Goodknight Nigeria, Oluwatimilehin Dada, expressed pride in supporting the state’s malaria elimination efforts.
She highlighted Godrej’s commitment to promoting public health through innovative products and urged households to use the Goodknight range of mosquito control solutions as part of their preventive efforts.
With Lagos leading the charge in Nigeria’s malaria control efforts, stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a malaria-free state through strong partnerships, data-driven policies, and public education.
