FG seeks Dangote, Otedola, Elumelu, NGF’s support against malaria

As part of the drive toward eradicating malaria in Nigeria, the federal government has enlisted the support of prominent business leaders led by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, alongside Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, and Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc to lead the charge against the disease.

The industry heavyweights, along with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), National Assembly Joint Health Committees, and women’s organizations, among others have been tasked with reducing, and potentially eliminating the malaria scourge in the country.

During the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria End Malaria Council on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa emphasized the urgency of addressing malaria prevalence in Nigeria, which led to the establishment of the Council, saying, “The disease’s prevalence in the country makes it urgently expedient to explore every option available to address it”.

The Nigeria End Malaria Council, established in 2017, was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2022, with the primary objectives to keep malaria high on national and state agendas, secure a strong political commitment from leaders, and mobilize resources from both traditional and innovative sources, particularly the private sector, to close resource gaps in the national malaria strategic plan.

Following the 2022 inauguration, the Council was unable to meet due to the change in government and other operational challenges, although the Secretariat remained functional.

Noting that the urgency of the Council’s mission is underscored by alarming statistics of the scourge, the Minister said: “Nigeria contributes over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the more than 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide, mostly affecting children and pregnant women.

“It is sad to note that malaria contributes about 25-30% of childhood mortality and about 60% of hospital attendance. Similarly, malaria is a major cause of absenteeism in schools, markets, and workplaces, as well as a significant out-of-pocket expense for most households in the country.”

He also recalled Nigeria’s involvement earlier this year in the Ministerial Conference on Malaria in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Nigeria, alongside 10 other high-burden countries, signed a Declaration to scale up interventions against malaria.

Read Also: ‘We’ll continue advocacy against malaria, say pest control managers
This, according to him, was followed by the Rethinking Malaria Elimination in Nigeria” roundtable discussion in Abuja, which brought together major stakeholders and global players to identify challenges and strategize on eliminating malaria.

Highlighting the enormity of the challenge, Alausa lamented: “Nigeria currently has a population of over 200 million, and the entire population is at risk of malaria. This puts a huge challenge on the Government and requires a different approach to tackle the disease.”

He, however, acknowledged that while current interventions like antimalarial medicines and protective measures such as treated nets and insecticides are essential, they remain insufficient.

Moreover, he pointed out that much of the support for the interventions comes from donors, which is neither adequate nor sustainable.

Referencing the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) launched in 2009 and the Malaria Scorecard developed in 2011 to monitor country performance, the minister noted that “No country has ever eliminated malaria through donor support alone”.

While formally handing over the leadership of the Council to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who has served as Nigeria’s Malaria Ambassador as well as a member of the Global End Malaria Council, the Minister nonetheless expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated Council members.

Outlining the council’s critical role, he said: “The major objective of this body is to contribute to a reduction in the malaria burden and possibly the elimination of malaria in Nigeria, which will ultimately lead to an improvement in the quality of lives of all Nigerians.

“Because of your positions in Nigeria, your passion towards health issues, especially malaria, and the interest groups you represent, your membership to this Council is inevitable for the benefit of the larger society, especially children and pregnant women who are the most affected and would remain forever grateful,” he noted.

The Nigeria End Malaria Council Secretariat, led by its Executive Secretary, Ope Abegunde, was also handed over to the Council signaling the government’s commitment to making malaria history in Nigeria.

At the inaugural meeting of the Council, Dangote urged the members to tackle malaria head-on during the council’s inaugural meeting.

Highlighting their collective strength across government, civil society, religion, and business, he emphasized their unique ability to mobilize resources for the national malaria program.

He also outlined the council’s primary objectives: ensuring that malaria elimination remains high on Nigeria’s agenda with strong political commitment from leaders at all levels and advocating at both the national and state levels to secure sufficient funding.

He urged the Council to be alive to its responsibility of protecting the progress made so far, sustain it, and ensure that the country is on an irreversible pathway to ending malaria for good.

“I want to appreciate your acceptance to serve our beloved country in this capacity and I am glad to join hands with you to reduce the burden and deaths due to malaria in Nigeria,” he said

The council members committed to mobilizing funds needed to ensure Malaria is eliminated in Nigeria.