The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Sproxil Nigeria Limited have explored the use of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology and private sector data to strengthen the country’s malaria response.
The two organisations, alongside health experts and development partners, held a two-day strategic alignment meeting in Lagos on August 6 and 7, 2026, to examine how technology can improve malaria surveillance, diagnosis, health communication and support for health workers.
Malaria remains a major public health challenge across Africa, with Nigeria carrying a significant share of the burden. Although the country has recorded progress in recent years, stakeholders at the meeting said that new approaches are needed to move from malaria control to eventual elimination.
The National Coordinator of NMEP, Dr. Nnenna Chizaram Ogbulafor, said that AI could help the country improve the speed and quality of its malaria response.
“Artificial Intelligence offers us an opportunity to improve how we collect data, monitor interventions and strengthen programme implementation,” she said.
“Technology enables us to work smarter and respond faster, making it a critical part of the future of malaria control in Nigeria.”
Citing the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey, Ogbulafor said that malaria prevalence in Nigeria had declined to about 15 per cent, attributing the progress to sustained investments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
However, the meeting noted that significant gaps remain in malaria surveillance, particularly among Nigerians who seek treatment outside government health facilities.
Millions of Nigerians obtain medicines or seek healthcare advice from community pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), generating information that is often not captured by the national malaria surveillance system.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sproxil, Dr. Ashifi Gogo, said that integrating private sector information with government data could provide a more complete picture of malaria trends.
“Those interactions generate valuable information, yet they are largely invisible to the National Malaria Elimination Programme,” Gogo said.
“If we can combine government data with insights from the private healthcare ecosystem, policymakers will have a much clearer picture of where malaria is occurring and where interventions are most urgently needed. Better information leads to better decisions,” he added.
The meeting also examined Sproxil’s AI-assisted malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) reading and digital verification technology, which could help accelerate Test Positivity Rate reporting from government facilities.
Ibrahim Maikore, National Professional Officer for Malaria Surveillance at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria Country Office, said that improved diagnostic accuracy could support better treatment decisions while strengthening the quality of malaria surveillance data.
Local media reports stated that the participants also explored Sproxil’s AISHA conversational AI platform and its potential use for social and behaviour change communication, malaria awareness, health worker training and continuous support.
The reports added that the discussions emphasised that while technology could significantly improve malaria surveillance and response, its adoption must be supported by scientific validation, quality assurance, responsible data governance and interoperability with existing government systems.
GIK/APA