Over 980,000 Children Set to Benefit From 2025 SMC Campaign in FCT
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has officially launched its 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign, aiming to protect over 983,000 children aged 3 months to 5 years during the peak malaria season.
Dr. Olutomi Sodipo, State Project Manager for the Philanthropic Funding SMC Project, made the announcement at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said the program builds on the success of previous years and will be delivered through a door-to-door strategy , ensuring even the most vulnerable children receive timely protection.
“Each year, we provide comprehensive support — from planning and training to drug distribution and community engagement,” she added.
How the SMC Campaign Works
The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention initiative involves giving monthly doses of the antimalarial combination Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to eligible children.
This happens during the high-transmission malaria season from June to October .
Community Drug Distributors, trained by the Malaria Consortium , go house-to-house to administer the drugs and educate families about prevention.
So far, the program operates across all six Area Councils , covering 62 wards and 274 health facilities in the FCT.
This year, organizers plan to improve access in urban areas like AMAC by partnering with faith-based organizations . These groups will serve as distribution points in gated estates and hard-to-reach communities.
Progress Since SMC Began in 2022
Since the introduction of SMC in 2022, the FCT has seen a 41% drop in confirmed malaria cases among children under five.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Malaria Elimination Programme, shared these figures during her keynote address.
She noted that despite being preventable, malaria remains a major killer in Nigeria.
“Alarmingly, Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 30% of related deaths—mostly among children under five.”
In the FCT alone, data shows that 4 out of 10 people were affected by malaria in 2024 , and 1 in 5 children tested positive for the parasite .
Without SMC, many more young lives would have been lost.
Malaria Consortium Highlights Success Across Africa
Dr. Kolawole Maxwell, West and Central Africa Programme Director at Malaria Consortium , praised Nigeria’s progress but urged greater government ownership to ensure long-term sustainability.
He said:
“With coordinated action and proven interventions, malaria can be significantly reduced—and ultimately eliminated.”
Since 2014, SMC programs have expanded from 8 countries reaching 2.5 million children to 17 countries covering an estimated 49 million children , mostly in the Sahel region.
Maxwell emphasized the need for strong policies and funding strategies beyond donor support.
“A supportive environment is essential to reach every eligible child. We remain committed to supporting Nigeria in this fight.”
Call to Action: Share Your Thoughts!
What do you think about the impact of the SMC campaign in reducing malaria among Nigerian children?
💬 Leave a comment below and share your views on how Nigeria can sustain this life-saving program.
📢 Don’t forget to share this article to spread awareness about malaria prevention and the importance of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in FCT.
🤝 Want to support malaria prevention efforts? Consider volunteering or donating to organizations like Malaria Consortium or National Malaria Elimination Programme .
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