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Malaria Fight in Nigeria Hit by USAID Funding Cut
17 Jun
Summary
- USAID funding withdrawal caused major disruption to malaria programs.
- Sokoto experienced a 48% stockout rate for malaria commodities.
- Insecurity severely hampers malaria control efforts in northwest Nigeria.
The cessation of USAID funding in September 2025 has created significant disruptions in Nigeria's malaria control programs, particularly in Sokoto state. This withdrawal has led to an alarming 48% stockout rate for essential malaria commodities, including rapid diagnostic tests. Consequently, Nigerians are increasingly turning to the private sector for antimalarials, heightening concerns about substandard and counterfeit medications contributing to drug resistance.
While Sokoto has local agencies and funds to manage supply chains, they cannot match USAID's purchasing power, leading to higher costs and difficult prioritization decisions. The ongoing insecurity in northwest Nigeria poses an additional severe challenge, disrupting distribution efforts and displacing populations. Despite these hurdles, initiatives like Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) continue, targeting vulnerable children under five, with efforts to adapt strategies in affected areas.
The drastic reduction in data collection capacity, with reporting rates falling from 100% to 43%, further complicates tracking progress. Achieving Nigeria's national goal of malaria elimination by 2030 now appears significantly more challenging without crucial international partner support.
