The Federal Government has called on religious leaders to support efforts to combat malaria, particularly in deepening awareness and encouraging greater community participation to curb the disease in the country.

National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Nnena Ogbulafor, made the call during an advocacy visit to the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Malaria Day.

She noted that religious leaders have a critical role to play in the drive to eliminate malaria, given their strong influence on public behaviour.

According to her, faith leaders can help educate their followers on preventive measures and proper malaria management.

“As they stand in the pulpit, many of their followers will do what they advise. We are encouraged that religious leaders often guide their followers in the right direction. That is why we are engaging them directly,” she said.

Ogbulafor explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with religious institutions that play a vital role in shaping community attitudes and practices.

She said the engagement provided an opportunity to brief mosque leadership on progress made in malaria control, as well as the challenges still hindering efforts to reduce the disease burden.

She urged religious leaders to use their platforms to educate worshippers on preventive measures and to encourage acceptance of government interventions.

Ogbulafor added that this year’s World Malaria Day commemoration is backed by fresh data from the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey.

She disclosed that Nigeria recorded a significant decline in malaria prevalence from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15 per cent in 2025, representing about a 30 per cent reduction. She attributed the progress to sustained government commitment, support from development partners and ongoing public health interventions.

“Malaria elimination is achievable,” she said, urging citizens to support ongoing efforts.

“With sustained commitment and collective action, Nigeria can significantly reduce malaria.”

In his response, the Director of External Relations, Fundraising and Investment at the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, Al-Noor Masjid, Abuja, Garba Sani, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government and faith-based organisations in healthcare delivery.

He noted that the centre is actively involved in healthcare services, operating a sickbay clinic and organising regular medical outreach programmes.

On mosquito net distribution, Sani explained that the centre goes beyond its premises, deploying outreach teams to underserved communities with limited access to healthcare, where they distribute treated mosquito nets, prioritising women and children.

Also speaking, the Head of Programme Management at NMEP, Dr Aminu Umar, and the Programme Manager for the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme, Zainab Ibrahim, said World Malaria Day provides an opportunity for global and African leaders to intensify efforts in regions where the disease remains highly prevalent.

They noted that malaria continues to pose a major public health challenge in Nigeria, which accounts for about 24 per cent of the global malaria burden, with roughly 68 million cases recorded in the country last year.