The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step toward combating the scourge of malaria by appointing three of the nation’s most prominent business leaders—Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, and Tony Elumelu—to spearhead efforts to eradicate the disease. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Nigeria End Malaria Council (NEMC) in Abuja over the weekend.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that Nigeria accounts for over a quarter of global malaria cases and a third of the more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide. Children and expectant mothers are particularly vulnerable, with the disease contributing to 25-30% of childhood mortality and 60% of hospital visits in the country.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that malaria is a significant cause of absenteeism from schools, markets, and workplaces and a major out-of-pocket expense for Nigerian households. Despite various interventions, including the provision of antimalarial medicines and protective measures like treated nets, the country continues to face rising cases, in contrast to declining numbers in other regions.
The NEMC, which includes respected figures such as John Cardinal Onaiyekan, will collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly’s Health Committees, and women’s organizations to drive a renewed campaign against malaria. The council aims to keep malaria high on the national agenda, secure political commitment, and mobilize resources from both the public and private sectors to bridge gaps in the national malaria strategy.
Aliko Dangote, who has previously served as Nigeria’s Malaria Ambassador and a member of the Global End Malaria Council, was appointed to lead the council. He urged the team to leverage their collective influence across various sectors to secure the necessary funding and maintain the fight against malaria as a top priority for the country.
Dangote emphasized the need for sustained efforts to protect the progress made so far and to ensure that Nigeria remains on an irreversible path to eliminating malaria. The council members are expected to mobilize the financial and in-kind resources required to achieve this goal.
The council’s secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Mr. Ope Abegunde, was also handed over during the event. The council's work will be instrumental in reducing the burden of malaria and ultimately improving the quality of life for all Nigerians.
