AYGF urges stronger action on malaria elimination
The Executive Director of the Africa Youth Growth Foundation, Arome Salifu, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to eliminating malaria in Nigeria, citing significant progress recorded in Edo state through targeted interventions and partnerships. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark World Malaria Day 2026, Salifu said Nigeria still bears a heavy malaria burden, […]
The Executive Director of the Africa Youth Growth Foundation, Arome Salifu, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to eliminating malaria in Nigeria, citing significant progress recorded in Edo state through targeted interventions and partnerships.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark World Malaria Day 2026, Salifu said Nigeria still bears a heavy malaria burden, accounting for “over a quarter of global cases and nearly one-third of global malaria-related deaths,” stressing the urgency of sustained action.
He said: “We are gathered here today… to mark a significant milestone in our collective journey toward a malaria-free Nigeria… with strategic action and community ownership, malaria elimination is not just a goal, but an achievable reality.”
Salifu noted that AYGF’s interventions, implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Edo State Ministry of Health, are aligned with national and global malaria strategies.
Edo project records measurable impact
Highlighting outcomes from the Support to Malaria Elimination Project (SMEP) in Edo State, he described the initiative as a model for success, noting that it has scaled to all 18 local government areas within one year.
According to him, the project has strengthened both service delivery and data systems, leading to notable improvements in malaria diagnosis and treatment.
He said: “This is not just service expansion. This is quality improvement.”
Salifu disclosed that the number of people presenting with fever rose from 201,230 to 395,157, while those tested with rapid diagnostic kits increased significantly. He added that confirmed malaria cases treated with recommended therapies also recorded substantial growth, alongside improved adherence to testing protocols.
Focus on maternal health and capacity building
The AYGF boss also highlighted gains in protecting pregnant women, noting a sharp rise in uptake of preventive malaria treatment.
He said: “When IPTp3 more than doubles, the system is protecting both mothers and newborns.”
Beyond service delivery, he emphasized investments in human resources, revealing that over 1,700 personnel across Edo State’s malaria response system had been trained within a year.
“This is not fragmented training. This is structured, layered capacity strengthening across clinical, logistics, monitoring, and accountability domains,” he said.
Commodities, systems strengthening
Salifu further disclosed that thousands of diagnostic kits and treatment courses had been distributed across the state, supported by improved logistics and real-time data systems.
He said the deployment of digital reporting tools and accountability mechanisms has strengthened decision-making and programme oversight.
“These are not inventory numbers. These are treatments delivered. These are lives stabilized,” he stated.
Challenges persist
Despite the progress, Salifu acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly stock-outs of essential commodities such as insecticide-treated nets and paediatric drugs.
He warned:
“Any gap in the supply chain is a risk to a child’s life.”
Call for collective action
He urged stakeholders, including the media and development partners, to intensify support for malaria elimination efforts, stressing that sustained collaboration is critical to success.
“Malaria is preventable and treatable. The progress we have recorded… proves that when we empower local teams and embed interventions within government systems, we create sustainable impact,” he said.
“Zero malaria starts with us, and it starts today.”