NEWS
Abia State Govt. to Distribute Over 3 Million Insecticide-Treated Nets Across 17 LGAs
The Abia State Government, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), is set to distribute 3,030,000 insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to residents across the state’s 17 local government areas as part of renewed efforts to tackle malaria and reduce preventable deaths.
The large-scale distribution programme, valued at more than ₦1 billion, is expected to provide thousands of households with greater protection against mosquito bites and help strengthen ongoing interventions aimed at reducing the burden of malaria in the state.
The initiative is coming after a long gap in mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets in Abia, with the state government revealing that the last exercise of its kind was conducted in 2010.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed the development on Monday, September 7, 2026, while briefing pressmen at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, OFR.
According to the Commissioner, the collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme represents an important step in strengthening preventive healthcare measures and protecting residents, particularly vulnerable populations, from malaria-related illnesses.
He explained that the campaign would involve the distribution of more than three million treated nets across the 17 local government areas, describing the intervention as timely given the prolonged period since the state last conducted a mass ITN campaign.
“Abia State Government through the Ministry of Health is collaborating with the National Malaria Elimination Program on an ITNs campaign project to distribute 3,030,000 treated Nets worth over 1 billion Naira.
“This is part of the activities of the state government to reduce malaria burden and associated deaths.
“It is worthy to note that Abia State has not carried out a mass ITNs campaign in the state since 2010. So this program that is coming up is very, very timely in that regard,” Prince Kanu stated.
The planned intervention forms part of broader efforts by the Otti administration to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve preventive healthcare across Abia. By expanding access to insecticide-treated nets, the government and its partners are seeking to reduce exposure to malaria-carrying mosquitoes and ultimately contribute to lower rates of infection and malaria-related fatalities.
The return of a statewide mass ITN distribution campaign after more than a decade is also expected to boost public awareness around malaria prevention while encouraging residents to make proper and consistent use of the nets once distributed.
With the exercise targeting all 17 local government areas, the programme is expected to have a wide reach and reinforce the state’s broader public health strategy in the fight against one of Nigeria’s most persiste
nt health challenges.