As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Malaria Day today, leading indigenous pharmaceutical company, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, has reiterated its unwavering dedication to eradicating malaria in Nigeria and across Africa. The company made this known in a statement released on Thursday to mark the global health awareness day, expressing its resolve to increase investments in malaria control programmes and research.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Head of Marketing and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Faloye, noted that Emzor has consistently played a vital role in the fight against malaria, particularly through the production and distribution of high-quality antimalarial medications. He said the company’s efforts are geared towards reducing the high maternal and child mortality rates associated with the disease, especially in vulnerable communities.
Faloye described the 2025 World Malaria Day theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” as a timely call to action that resonates strongly with Emzor’s mission of ensuring access to affordable and effective malaria treatment across the continent. According to him, the company has scaled up investments in research and development while expanding its distribution networks to ensure that life-saving antimalarial drugs are available even in hard-to-reach areas.
He emphasised that Emzor’s contributions are not just limited to drug manufacturing but extend to strategic health interventions and advocacy. “Our commitment goes beyond business—it’s about saving lives. Through our various community-based outreach programmes, we are actively supporting efforts aimed at reducing the malaria burden. This includes free medical screenings, public health education, health walks, and distribution of essential medicines to underserved populations,” Faloye stated.
World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25, was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) member states during the 2007 World Health Assembly. It serves as a platform to draw global attention to the urgent need for sustained investment, policy action, and community engagement in malaria prevention and control.
Malaria, which is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito and caused by the plasmodium parasite, remains a major health concern in Nigeria, where the disease is endemic. Transmission occurs throughout the year, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria accounts for the highest global burden of the disease, recording about 27 percent of all malaria cases and approximately 23 percent of global malaria-related deaths as of 2020.
Data from the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate the economic toll of malaria on Nigeria at roughly N9.92 billion annually, reflecting its significant impact on public health and economic productivity.
In response to this pressing challenge, Emzor has continued to deepen its pharmaceutical capacity. Mr. Faloye revealed that part of the company’s long-term strategy includes a multimillion-dollar investment in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at its ultra-modern pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Sagamu, Ogun State. This, he explained, aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign imports.
While expressing concern over the alarming rate of malaria-related deaths among pregnant women and children under the age of five, Faloye maintained that collective action and consistent support from both the public and private sectors are essential to ending the scourge.
He reiterated that with the right investments, partnerships, and community-driven efforts, Nigeria can take bold strides toward eliminating malaria. Emzor, he concluded, remains fully committed to being a key player in that journey.