Korede Abdullah 
Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Pate
ABUJA, Nigeria – Africa must take full ownership of the malaria fight to meet the 2030 elimination target, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has said.
Speaking at the Big Push Malaria Conference in Abuja, Pate faulted Africa’s reliance on foreign donors despite carrying 90 per cent of the global malaria burden.
“Have we owned it sufficiently? Or are we still waiting for solutions from Geneva and other places?” he asked, calling for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership headquarters to relocate to Africa.
He expressed concern over low vaccine uptake in pilot states and urged stronger political and financial commitment. “Unless we cross that hurdle and apply ourselves, things will not change,” he warned.
Experts emphasised local solutions, including domestic manufacturing of insecticide-treated nets and medicines. Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor of the National Malaria Elimination Programme said: “Over 600 million treated nets have been distributed in Nigeria, but none produced locally. Local manufacturing is coming soon, and that will mean more opportunities and jobs.”
Stakeholders also warned that climate change, funding gaps and insecurity threaten progress, but agreed that stronger leadership could accelerate Africa’s path to a malaria-free future.
About the Author
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Chukwu Obinna 
Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness