24 million Nigerians test positive for malaria – FG

No fewer than 24.47 million Nigerians tested positive for malaria between January and September 2025, according to the 2025 National Health Statistics Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The report shows a steady rise in the number of people who visited health facilities with fever and were tested for malaria using Rapid Diagnostic Tests or microscopy. It also confirms that malaria cases increased quarter by quarter across the country.

Nigeria, which already accounts for a major share of global malaria cases, continues to struggle with late treatment-seeking and inadequate health facilities. Experts warn that these problems, combined with the rainy season that boosts mosquito breeding, are driving infections upward.

From January to March, 10.5 million Nigerians were tested for malaria. The figure rose to 11.4 million between April and June and climbed further to 12.8 million from July to September, bringing the total number tested in the first nine months of the year to 34.8 million.

Of those tested, 7.3 million were confirmed positive in the first quarter. This increased to 7.8 million in the second quarter and 9.3 million in the third quarter, making a total of 24.47 million confirmed cases within the nine-month period.

The report also indicates that malaria treatment rose in line with the rising cases. About 7.1 million Nigerians received Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) between January and March. Another 7.6 million received treatment between April and June, while 9 million were treated from July to September. Altogether, 23.85 million Nigerians received ACT treatment within the period.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said during the 2025 Joint Annual Review in Abuja that the National Malaria Eradication Programme had recorded significant progress and continues to push for stronger malaria control measures nationwide.