Every 20th of August, the world commemorates World Mosquito Day, marking Sir Ronald Ross’s 1897 discovery that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. In Nigeria, this day is not merely a historical nod but a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and lymphatic filariasis. With Nigeria accounting for 27% of global malaria cases and facing a rising threat from dengue, the human toll of these tiny vectors is profound. This feature delves into the lived experiences of Nigerians, weaving their voices with data-driven insights to highlight the urgency of innovative, equitable solutions in the fight against mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes, belonging to the Culicidae family with over 3,500 species worldwide, are a formidable adversary in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vector-borne diseases cause over 700,000 deaths globally each year, with malaria alone responsible for 608,000 deaths in 2023. Nigeria bears the heaviest burden, contributing 31.9% of global malaria deaths (194,000 fatalities in 2020) and 27% of cases (68 million in 2023). Anopheles gambiae, a primary malaria vector, thrives in rural puddles, while Aedes aegypti, which spreads dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, flourishes in urban water containers. Culex species, prevalent across Nigeria, transmit diseases like West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis.
For Nigerians, mosquitoes are not just a nuisance but a daily threat. In Abuja’s Fairview community, residents shared their struggles with Fairview News. Bella, a mother of three, recounted her harrowing experience with malaria: “I went through hell. I was buying malaria drugs without testing, and the malaria kept coming and going. I was surprised, thinking I had another disease. When I finally went to the hospital, the test showed malaria+++. It was so high, and I didn’t know it was malaria until I tested.” Her story underscores a critical issue: misdiagnosis and self-medication, which exacerbate health outcomes. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, only 23% of children under five with fever are tested for malaria before treatment, leaving many vulnerable to complications.
Another resident, Chukwuma, emphasized environmental hygiene: “What I use to prevent my family from mosquitoes is a clean environment. Mosquitoes breed in dirty places, so we keep our surroundings tidy.” Similarly, Aisha, a schoolteacher, advocated for practical measures: “The environment has to be cleaned, and we use mosquito nets. It’s simple but effective.” These voices reflect a growing awareness of prevention, yet access to tools remains a challenge. The WHO reports that only 52% of Nigerian households own insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and just 36% of children under five sleep under them.
The impact of mosquito-borne diseases in Nigeria is staggering. Malaria claims 70% of its victims among children under five and pregnant women, with 68 million cases reported in 2023. Dengue, driven by Aedes aegypti, is also rising, with Nigeria recording 1,900 deaths in 2025 amid 3.6 million global cases. The economic toll is equally severe. Malaria costs Nigeria $1.1 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity, while the global economic impact of dengue reached $3.1 billion in 2024. Urban centres like Lagos and Abuja face heightened risks due to rapid urbanisation, which creates breeding sites in discarded containers and poor drainage systems.
Climate change exacerbates the crisis. Rising temperatures accelerate mosquito life cycles, and increased rainfall creates breeding grounds. According to a 2021 study in The Lancet, warmer temperatures could increase the population at risk of malaria and dengue by 1.4 billion in urban Africa by 2050. The emergence of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive urban malaria vector, in Lagos in 2020 highlights the evolving threat. This species, unlike Anopheles gambiae, thrives in urban settings, putting an additional 126 million people at risk across Africa.
Health workers on the frontlines see the challenges firsthand. Mr. Pius, a community health worker in Abuja, identified a key barrier: “One of the challenges parents face in preventing mosquitoes from their children is ignorance. Some don’t know that mosquitoes cause malaria or that a dirty environment generates mosquitoes. You have to know the enemy before fighting it.” His words echo findings from a 2020 study in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, which noted that low awareness of mosquito ecology increases exposure risks in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr. Pius advised families to prioritize prevention: “Keep your environment clean, use mosquito nets, and apply repellents like DEET at dusk and dawn. If a child has a fever, test for malaria before treating. Early diagnosis saves lives.” The WHO supports this, emphasizing that timely diagnosis and treatment can reduce malaria mortality by 20%. However, Nigeria’s overburdened healthcare system, particularly in rural areas, struggles to deliver. Only 15% of public health facilities have adequate malaria diagnostic tools, according to a 2023 Ministry of Health report.
The 2025 World Mosquito Day theme, “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World,” calls for inclusive solutions. Nigeria is exploring innovative approaches like the World Mosquito Program’s Wolbachia method, which infects Aedes aegypti with bacteria to reduce their ability to transmit dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. In Indonesia, this method cut dengue cases by 77% and hospitalizations by 86%. Pilot projects in Lagos are underway, with plans to scale up by 2027.
Genetic modification offers another frontier. Nigeria’s collaboration with Target Malaria aims to reduce Anopheles populations using gene-drive technology. By altering mosquito reproduction, this approach could suppress malaria transmission. A 2023 trial in Burkina Faso showed a 90% reduction in Anopheles gambiae populations, offering hope for Nigeria.
Community-driven efforts are equally vital. The WHO’s Global Vector Control Response (2017–2030) advocates for eliminating breeding sites and using ITNs. In Nigeria, community health workers distribute nets and educate households, but inconsistent follow-through remains a hurdle. Dr. Céline Gossner of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control emphasized, “Prevention is critical. Simple measures like window screens and repellents can save lives.”
Residents shared actionable strategies. Bella advised, “Don’t keep wet clothes inside the house; they attract mosquitoes. Spray insecticide around 8 p.m., lock the doors, and return by 10 p.m. Also, wash dirty plates immediately after eating.” These measures align with WHO recommendations to eliminate breeding sites by clearing stagnant water and maintaining hygiene. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that scrubbing water containers weekly prevents Aedes aegypti egg-laying, reducing dengue risk.
Mosquitoes, despite their dangers, play ecological roles. Their larvae filter water by consuming microorganisms, and they serve as prey for fish, bats, and dragonflies. Toxorhynchites mosquitoes, which prey on other mosquito larvae, act as natural pest controllers. Indiscriminate eradication could disrupt ecosystems, making targeted approaches like Wolbachia or spatial repellents critical. Dr. Michael B. Macdonald, a public health entomologist, urged, “We need to break down silos between malaria and dengue funding to scale up these innovations.
Nigeria’s fight against mosquitoes demands a human-centered approach. With 40% of the population living in poverty, access to ITNs and repellents remains limited. Drug resistance, with malaria parasites evading artemisinin and chloroquine, and insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti, complicates control. The WHO reports that 27 Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, face Anopheles resistance to pyrethroid insecticides.
Yet, hope lies in collective action. Scaling up ITN coverage, which reduced malaria incidence by 50% in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2010, could save millions. AI-driven outbreak prediction and spatial repellents, prequalified by WHO in 2025, offer new tools. By amplifying community voices, investing in innovation, and ensuring equitable access, Nigeria can turn the tide against its deadliest foe
As Bella aptly put it, “Mosquitoes cause a lot of trouble, but if we work together, we can keep them away.” World Mosquito Day 2025 is a clarion call for Nigeria to unite science, community, and resilience in this critical fight.
