Lagos State has taken a bold step in its fight against malaria with the launch of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme.
This initiative, the first of its kind in Nigeria at the sub-national level, is designed to reduce the burden of malaria through digital innovation and strengthened public-private sector collaboration.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the tech-driven programme, which is being supported by the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), Maisha Meds, and other global health partners.
The initiative aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve case management, and connect patients to social health insurance schemes.
With this programme, Lagos is transitioning to a digitised malaria prevention system, replacing traditional approaches as the World Bank-funded Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project comes to an end in December 2025.
Despite Nigeria having one of the highest malaria burdens globally, accounting for 27% of cases and 200,000 deaths annually, Lagos remains the least affected among the 28 states under the IMPACT project. The state currently records a 2.6% burden rate, placing it in the low transmission category.
However, Lagos still reports 900,000 malaria cases annually, highlighting the need for continuous intervention and strategic response to sustain the progress made in controlling the disease. The new digital approach is expected to improve early detection and treatment, further reducing infection rates.
Speaking at the launch, Sanwo-Olu described malaria as a “socio-economic burden” that drains household incomes and reduces productivity.
He emphasized that the initiative would help protect communities and ensure a healthier, more productive population.