Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called on African nations to take ownership of the fight against malaria, which accounts for 90% of global cases, warning that reliance on foreign donors jeopardizes the continent’s ability to meet the 2030 elimination target.

Speaking at the Big Push Malaria Conference in Abuja, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Pate criticized Africa’s dependence on external funding from organizations like the Global Fund and Gates Foundation. The Minister further proposed that RBM relocate its headquarters to Africa, given the continent’s disproportionate burden.

“Have we owned it sufficiently? Are we still waiting for solutions from Geneva?” - Pate

He emphasized that Nigeria, a major contributor to global malaria cases, must prioritize domestic financial and political commitment to drive solutions. Pate expressed concern over low malaria vaccine uptake in pilot states like Bayelsa and Kebbi, noting ongoing efforts to improve public awareness and integration into Nigeria’s strategy. He stressed that without African-led initiatives, the goal of malaria elimination by 2030 remains elusive, despite billions in donor investments.

In a related development, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the Mid-Term Review of the Lagos Malaria Pre-Elimination Pathway, committed to reducing the state’s malaria prevalence below 1%. He highlighted a digital reporting system across health facilities that has enhanced diagnostics and integrated community pharmacies into control efforts, positioning Lagos as a model for localized action.