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, obtained by our correspondent on Friday, shows a steady rise in malaria testing and confirmed cases over the three quarters, underscoring the persistent burden of the disease in the country.
According to the data, more Nigerians presented with fever and underwent malaria testing — using both Rapid Diagnostic Tests and microscopy — between the first and third quarters of 2025.
The trend reveals a significant increase in cases, with experts noting that malaria transmission typically intensifies during the rainy season, which spans much of the second half of the year.
Nigeria continues to account for one of the highest malaria caseloads globally, with challenges such as late treatment-seeking behaviour and limited healthcare infrastructure contributing to the disease’s high prevalence.
Breakdown of testing figures indicates that 34,845,728 people were tested for malaria within the nine-month period:
- Q1 (Jan–Mar): 10,517,416 tested
- Q2 (Apr–Jun): 11,449,804 tested
- Q3 (Jul–Sep): 12,878,508 tested
Out of these, 24,467,232 tested positive:
- Q1: 7,301,279 confirmed positive
- Q2: 7,841,483 confirmed positive
- Q3: 9,324,470 confirmed positive
The number of patients treated for uncomplicated malaria with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) also rose in line with confirmed cases. A total of 23,851,430 individuals received ACT treatment between January and September:
- Q1: 7,144,538 treated
- Q2: 7,663,106 treated
- Q3: 9,043,786 treated
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced during the 2025 Joint Annual Review in Abuja that the National Malaria Eradication Programme has recorded notable progress. He added that intensified interventions would be critical to reversing current trends before the end of the year.
