34.7 Million Mosquito Nets Reach Nigerians as Supply Chain Innovation Boosts Malaria Fight

34.7 Million Mosquito Nets Reach Nigerians as Supply Chain Innovation Boosts Malaria Fight

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A major effort to help Nigeria fight malaria has successfully delivered 34.7 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to 10 states in 2025, according to the Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) run by the Society for Family Health (SFH).

The achievement highlights the crucial role of efficient transportation, warehousing, and tracking systems in delivering lifesaving health commodities to millions of households, particularly in communities vulnerable to malaria.

In a statement issued in Abuja, MD Christopher Dangana said the operation ranks among the largest mosquito net distribution exercises carried out in the country recently.

He noted that while public attention often focuses on the number of nets distributed or lives protected, the success of such health interventions largely depends on the strength of the logistics network behind them.

According to him, the programme demonstrated how technology-driven solutions, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders can significantly improve the delivery of critical healthcare supplies.

Nigeria remains one of the countries most affected by malaria globally, with pregnant women and children under the age of five among the most vulnerable groups. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets continue to be recognised as one of the most effective preventive tools against malaria.

Dangana explained that moving millions of mosquito nets from central warehouses to communities required a vast operational structure that involved storage facilities, transportation routes, local government depots, and thousands of distribution centres spread across the participating states.

The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and other development partners, and was funded by the Global Fund.

He disclosed that a total of 36.5 million mosquito nets were transported from central storage facilities to local government warehouses, while 34.7 million eventually reached community-level distribution points where beneficiaries collected them.

Describing the operation as a landmark achievement, Dangana said every successful delivery represented additional protection for families living in malaria-prone areas.

A key factor behind the success, he said, was the introduction of digital tools designed to improve accountability and provide real-time visibility throughout the supply chain.

One of the innovations deployed was the logistic tracking application, which enabled program managers and health officials to monitor the movement of mosquito nets from dispatch to final delivery.

The technology was initially tested in two states during the 2024 campaign before being expanded to all 10 participating states this year.

Dangana revealed that the project recorded complete delivery coverage across all designated locations without losing a single mosquito net during transportation.

“The programme achieved full delivery to all targeted local government warehouses and distribution centres, with no losses recorded throughout the movement process,” he stated.

Data from the campaign showed that Kano State received the highest allocation, with 7.74 million mosquito nets. Kaduna followed with 4.5 million, while Katsina received 4.3 million.

Other beneficiary states included Niger and Delta with 3.1 million nets each, Jigawa with 2.98 million, Ogun with 2.91 million, Gombe with 2.1 million, Yobe with 2.05 million, and Taraba with 1.7 million.

Dangana explained that every consignment passed through a digital verification process that tracked dispatch, transit, arrival, and confirmation stages. Electronic proof of delivery was generated for each shipment, creating a transparent record of movement and receipt.

He added that the technology significantly improved oversight and reduced the risk of diversion or loss of commodities.

Despite the success, the operation was not without challenges. Logistics teams had to navigate poor road infrastructure, seasonal flooding, and difficult-to-access rural communities.

In some parts of Delta State, for example, transportation involved a combination of trucks and boats to reach riverine settlements. Certain deliveries required multiple transfers before arriving at their final destinations.

Limited telecommunications coverage in remote areas also affected the speed of digital reporting during parts of the campaign.

Nevertheless, Dangana said the teams maintained delivery schedules and ensured that all designated communities received their allocations.

He praised the partnership among government agencies, donor organisations, and implementing partners, noting that strong coordination was critical to the success of the project.

According to him, the National Malaria Elimination Programme provided strategic leadership, while Catholic Relief Services was the principal recipient of Global Fund malaria grants.

He stressed that robust logistics systems help maximise donor investments and expand access to preventive healthcare services.

“When supply chains function effectively, health programmes can reach more people and achieve a greater impact. The successful delivery of 34.7 million mosquito nets translates into protection for approximately 17.3 million Nigerians against malaria,” he said.

The latest distribution campaign is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to reduce malaria infections and deaths across the country, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.