The Federal Government has enlisted top business leaders in the fight against malaria, appointing Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and Femi Otedola to spearhead efforts to eradicate the disease in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the Nigeria End Malaria Council on Friday in Abuja, highlighting the collaboration between these industry leaders, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly Joint Health Committees, and women’s organizations.
The Council, established in 2017, aims to keep malaria a national priority and mobilize resources, especially from the private sector, to close gaps in the national malaria strategy. Despite recent challenges, the Secretariat has remained functional, underscoring the urgency of addressing malaria, which affects over 200 million Nigerians.
Dangote, now leading the Council, emphasized the need for strong political commitment and resource mobilization to ensure malaria elimination remains a top priority. He called on the Council to safeguard progress and guide Nigeria toward a malaria-free future.
The government’s handover of the Secretariat to the Council reaffirms its commitment to making malaria history in Nigeria.
