INAUGURATION OF SURVEY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR 2025 NIGERIA MALARIA INDICATOR SURVEY

Today, 7th August 2025, the Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, attended the inauguration of the Survey Management Committee for the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS), held at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) office in Abuja. The Committee, composed of members from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is co-chaired by Hon. Kwarra and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), in collaboration with the NPC and technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is conducting the 2025 NMIS. This survey marks the third independent Malaria Indicator Survey in Nigeria, following similar surveys conducted in conjunction with the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023-24.

In his opening remarks, NPC Chairman, Hon. Kwarra emphasized the importance of the NMIS as a critical national exercise aimed at addressing malaria, a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. He highlighted that the disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly children under five and pregnant women. Hon. Kwarra noted that effective interventions depend on reliable and timely data, which the NMIS is designed to provide.

“The 2025 NMIS will serve as a vital tool that provides evidence-based data for monitoring malaria control efforts, tracking progress, identifying service delivery gaps, and guiding targeted programs,” he stated.

The NPC Chairman assured attendees that the Committee would oversee the successful implementation of the 2025 NMIS with the highest standards, ensuring alignment with Nigeria's broader health policies and strategies. He confirmed the NPC’s commitment to supporting the FMoHSW through the provision of human and technical expertise necessary for achieving the survey's objectives.

Hon. Kwarra also announced the successful completion of the Household Listing for the survey, which will serve as the sampling frame for data collection. "The Commission will continue to support the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders in generating timely and reliable data," Hon. Kwarra affirmed.

He praised the leadership of Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate and commended Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor, the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, for her dedication to the NMIS. He also acknowledged the contributions of international partners, including the World Bank and the WHO.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate while inaugurating the Committee, announced that over 90% of the funding for the 2025 NMIS comes from the Government of Nigeria through the World Bank-supported IMPACT project. This underscores Nigeria's capacity to mobilize resources for addressing critical health issues.

Prof. Pate represented by Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, emphasized that the success of the survey hinges on collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community leaders, and, most importantly, the communities themselves. “It is imperative that we work together, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective is considered,” he stated.

He urged committee members to remain steadfast in their commitment to reducing malaria morbidity and mortality.

The event was attended by representatives from the WHO, NMEP, Malaria Consortium, Corona Management System, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), and other stakeholders.

This inauguration marks a significant step toward enhancing malaria control efforts in Nigeria, with the goal of improving health outcomes for millions of Nigerians. The Survey Management Committee is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness and accuracy of the NMIS across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.