FG Gives Dangote, Otedola, Elumelu New Appointment

In a significant effort to eradicate malaria in Nigeria, the Federal Government has enlisted the help of prominent business leaders.

The initiative will be spearheaded by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group; Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc; and Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings.

On Friday in Abuja, Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, officially launched the Nigeria End Malaria Council.

Alausa stated that these influential figures would work in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the joint Health Committees of the National Assembly, and various women’s organizations.

The government has tasked the council with reducing, and ideally eliminating, malaria in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need to tackle the disease due to its high prevalence.

The establishment of the council reflects the critical necessity of exploring all possible measures to combat malaria effectively.

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“The Nigeria End Malaria Council was established on Aug. 16, 2017 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Its primary objectives are to keep malaria high on national and state agendas, and secure strong political commitment from leaders.“It is also to mobilise resources, particularly from the private sector, to close resource gaps in the national malaria strategic plan,” he said. .

He noted that the council had not convened since 2022 due to changes in government and other operational challenges, though the Secretariat has remained operational.

He highlighted that Nigeria accounts for over a quarter of global malaria cases and roughly a third of the more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide, with the disease predominantly affecting children and pregnant women.

“It is sad to note that malaria contributes about 25 per cent to 30 per cent of childhood mortality and about 60 per cent 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 said.

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He also recalled Nigeria’s participation in the Ministerial Conference on Malaria in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where, along with 10 other high-burden countries, it signed a Declaration to enhance malaria interventions.

This was subsequently followed by the “Rethinking Malaria Elimination in Nigeria” roundtable, which convened key stakeholders and global experts to identify challenges and develop strategies for malaria elimination.

Emphasizing the scale of the issue, he noted that Nigeria’s population exceeds 200 million, with the entire populace at risk of malaria.

“This puts a huge challenge on the Government and requires a different approach to tackle the disease,” he said.

He acknowledged that while current interventions such as antimalarial medicines, treated nets, and insecticides are crucial, they are not enough on their own.

He noted that much of the support for these interventions comes from donors, which he described as neither adequate nor sustainable.

Alausa referenced the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), launched in 2009, and the Malaria Scorecard, developed in 2011 to track the country’s progress. He emphasized that no country has ever eradicated malaria through donor support alone.

The minister then handed over the leadership of the Council to Dangote, who has previously served as Nigeria’s Malaria Ambassador and as a member of the Global End Malaria Council.

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Alausa expressed his confidence in the newly inaugurated Council and outlined its crucial role: “The primary goal of this body is to help reduce the malaria burden and work towards its elimination in Nigeria.”

He added that eradicating malaria would significantly improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.

“By reason 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,” he said.

The Nigeria End Malaria Council Secretariat, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Ope Abegunde, was officially handed over to the Council, underscoring the government’s dedication to eradicating malaria in Nigeria.

At the Council’s inaugural meeting, Mr. Dangote urged members to confront malaria directly. He acknowledged their combined strength from various sectors—government, civil society, religion, and business—and their unique ability to mobilize resources for the national malaria program.

He emphasized the Council’s key goals of keeping malaria elimination a top priority on Nigeria’s agenda. Dangote stressed that achieving this would require strong political commitment and advocacy at both national and state levels to secure adequate funding.

He called on the Council to uphold and build on the progress made, ensuring that Nigeria remains on a definitive path toward eradicating malaria.

“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 will mobilise funds needed to ensure that Malaria is eliminated in the country.