Veteran Actor Jide Kosoko Partners with Health Ministry to Launch 2026 Grassroots Malaria Elimination Campaign

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko visits Health Minister Salako to boost community involvement in Nigeria’s malaria elimination strategy as prevalence rates drop.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 6:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A Royal Advocate for Public Health

Veteran actor and the Oloja-Elect of Lagos State, Jide Kosoko, has officially joined the national effort to eliminate malaria by advocating for increased grassroots mobilization. During a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, in Abuja, Kosoko emphasized that while government policies are essential, lasting results can only be achieved through direct community involvement. The engagement, held under the IMPACT Project, serves as a precursor to the 2026 World Malaria Day celebrations.

The "Rethinking Malaria Strategy" and National Progress

Minister Adekunle Salako welcomed the advocacy, stating that the Federal Government has adopted a proactive "Rethinking Malaria Strategy" since the onset of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This initiative prioritizes multi-sectoral collaboration and is guided by the Advocacy Committee on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (ACMEN). According to the minister, the strategy draws on global best practices to fast-track the transition from malaria control to total elimination across all thirty-six states.

Statistical Decline in Malaria Burden

The minister provided updated data showing a steady downward trend in malaria prevalence nationwide. Figures indicate that the national burden declined from 42% in 2010 to 22% in 2022, with current 2026 indicators showing further significant reductions. Salako noted that several states, most notably Lagos, are currently approaching pre-elimination levels. This progress is attributed to increased compliance with the use of insecticide-treated nets and improved access to diagnostic tools in rural health facilities.