The First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, on Monday launched the 2025 Insecticide-treated Nets (ITN) campaign in Ibadan to combat malaria across the state.

Mrs Makinde was also officially unveiled as the State’s Net Ambassador.

The initiative followed mass distribution of over 5.6 million ITNs, targeting more than two million households across the 33 local governments in the state between August 1 and August 7, 2025.

The flag-off ceremony brought together top government officials, development partners, civil society groups, traditional rulers, and community leaders in the anti-malaria campaign in the state.

The distribution was a collaborative effort between the Oyo State Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and international partners, including the United States Government, through its Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM), and Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, among others.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Makinde emphasised the significance of malaria prevention and called on all residents, particularly women and caregivers, to ensure proper usage of the nets.

“Let me start by appreciating the Oyo State Ministry of Health for nominating me as the Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Net Campaign Ambassador in Oyo State. Malaria, caused by mosquito parasites, is very common in Nigeria. If not treated on time, it can pose serious health challenges. But malaria can be prevented by consistently sleeping under insecticide-treated nets. That is why we are here today,” the First Lady said.

She added that from August 1 to August 7, the ITNs will be distributed across communities, and urged beneficiaries not to sell or hoard them but to put them to use.

“Let us not forget to hang our insecticide-treated mosquito nets and sleep inside them so that we can stay healthy. Together, we can wipe out malaria from our communities and ensure a healthier future for our children.”

She hailed the state government for prioritising healthcare, commending NMEP, the U.S. Government, and all partners for their continuous support.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stated that the campaign would deploy thousands of trained personnel and volunteers who would visit households to distribute the nets and educate them on how to hang and use them correctly.

The commissioner said, “This is not just about distributing nets. It’s about educating people on malaria prevention, changing attitudes, and saving lives. The nets will come with hanging kits and demonstrations.”

Representing the United States Government’s Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM), Nigeria Country Director, Jef Imans, commended the Oyo State Government’s leadership and commitment.

“The last campaign in 2021 successfully delivered over 4.7 million nets. This year, over 5.6 million nets valued at $21 million have been procured and will be distributed. These nets act as shields that save lives, especially among young children,” Imans said.

Some of the event’s highlights included the symbolic decoration of Mrs Makinde as Net Ambassador and a live demonstration of the proper use of the net.

Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, her counterpart in Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, and that of Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke; representatives of NMEP, USAID, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, community health mobilisers, and a host of others.