The Niger State Government has launched the 2025 Integrated Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) campaign to strengthen efforts against malaria and protect vulnerable children and families across the state.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Tayi Village in Chanchaga Local Government Area, beside the Tayi Primary Health Centre, drew stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, and local communities.
Declaring the campaign open, Dr Ibrahim Idris, Director of Public Health, described malaria as a preventable disease that requires collective action. He emphasised that the SMC and ITN campaign will help reduce malaria transmission and improve child survival.
“This campaign is a crucial step towards a malaria-free Niger State. We must continue to work together to ensure that no child dies from a mosquito bite,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Abdullahi Usman Imam, expressed appreciation to partners for their sustained support and reaffirmed the government’s determination to reach every household.
“Our goal is to ensure that every family in Niger State sleeps under an insecticide-treated net and that every child under five receives preventive malaria treatment,” Dr Imam noted.
Key partners present included the Nigeria National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Malaria Consortium, BASF, and the Society for Family Health (SFH).
In a goodwill message, Mr Ayuba Apagu of the Malaria Consortium praised the Niger State Government for its strong leadership and commitment to malaria prevention in Nigeria.
During the ceremony, Hon. Ibrahim Sale Minjiyawa, the Chanchaga LGA Malaria Advocate, was decorated with a sash and presented a certificate by Mrs Mary Esema, representing the NMEP National Coordinator. A brief drama presentation further reinforced the message of consistent net usage and community participation.
The Chairman-elect of Chanchaga LGA, Hon. Dr Muhammad Mustapha Jibril (Alheri), also attended the event and joined in the symbolic distribution of insecticide-treated nets to beneficiaries.
The Integrated SMC and ITN campaign is a national initiative implemented annually across Nigeria to combat malaria. It targets vulnerable populations, particularly children under five, through the administration of preventive malaria drugs and distribution of treated nets.
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