A new dawn for Nigeria: Accelerating malaria vaccine scale-up for a healthier nation
The theme of World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to end malaria: Now we can, now we must”.
The theme of World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to end malaria: Now we can, now we must”. As the day approaches, it serves as both a reminder of our ongoing fight against malaria and a call for renewed hope and determined action. This preventable and treatable disease has long affected our nation, costing lives, burdening healthcare systems, and hindering economic progress. Fortunately, the introduction of the malaria vaccine offers a promising new approach to changing this trajectory.
Nigeria has taken important steps by scaling up insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and gradually rolling out the malaria vaccine, which reduces malaria episodes as well as hospitalisations and deaths due to the disease. These steps to fight malaria demonstrate our commitment to leveraging scientific advances for public health benefits.
Currently, 25 countries are providing malaria vaccines as part of their childhood immunisation programmes and in accordance with national malaria control plans. The high political will and community demand for the vaccines are refocusing attention on malaria and the impact that can be achieved by strategically using a mix of interventions for high impact. In Nigeria, Bayelsa and Kebbi states were the first of four states to provide this important intervention. The malaria vaccine rollout expanded to Bauchi and Ondo states in early 2026.
Results from the two pioneering states highlight the progress that can be made when a mix of malaria interventions is implemented, tailored by the country to the local context. In Kebbi State, for example, data from the Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) showed malaria cases dropped dramatically from 49.0% in 2021 to just 18.4% in 2025. While many states saw some reduction, Kebbi, where seasonal malaria chemoprevention was combined with the malaria vaccine in 2025, experienced an exceptional 30.6 percentage-point decrease. This improvement, unique to Kebbi, means fewer hospital visits, fewer cases of severe illness, and fewer child deaths.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners have observed, no single intervention can address all malaria ills. The highest impact will be achieved with a package of complementary interventions. This includes leveraging existing delivery platforms such as routine immunisation and other malaria measures such as seasonal malaria chemoprevention to improve uptake and ensure children complete all doses.
The next crucial step is clear: we need to broaden malaria vaccine access beyond these early adopter states. With safe, effective preventive measures available, leaving any child at risk is unacceptable. Widening access promotes fairness, ensuring children—especially those living in areas with moderate and high malaria transmission—are protected, regardless of location or socio-economic status.
To build on these successes, strong government leadership and technical expertise are essential. Together, we must do the following:
Build Public Trust: This includes transparent communication, combating misinformation with accurate data, and sharing success stories like Kebbi’s.
Sustain Political Will: Ongoing advocacy and commitment from all levels of government are needed to secure funding, maintain supply chains, and train personnel.
Strengthen Health Systems: Scaling up requires robust primary healthcare networks that integrate vaccine delivery with malaria interventions and routine child health services.
Foster Partnerships: Collaboration across malaria and immunisation and broader government sectors, alongside local and international partners such as PATH and Gavi, is vital for technical guidance, resource mobilisation, and sharing best practices.
This World Malaria Day, let’s pledge to move from pilot initiatives to forging strong collaborations between the malaria and immunisation programmes and securing sustainable domestic financing. With dedicated leadership, persistent commitment, and broad adoption of the malaria vaccine, we can protect our children, empower our communities, and unlock Nigeria’s full promise for health and prosperity. Let’s embrace this opportunity and secure a brighter, healthier future for all Nigerians.
Professor Olugbenga A. MOKUOLU MBBS, MBA, MD, FWACP(Paed) is the strategic adviser to the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria; co-chair of the RBM Case Management Working Group; and College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
