CMS engages stakeholders to evaluate Nigeria’s malaria modelling fellowship

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Corona Management Systems (CMS) hosted key stakeholders on January 24, at its Abuja headquarters for the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Modelling Fellowship (MMF) Stakeholders’ Implementation Review Meeting.

The meeting brought together representatives from the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the World Health Organization (WHO), academia, and MMF Fellows. Discussions focused on assessing the programme’s impact, identifying lessons learned, and strategizing for sustainability.

MMF Programme Manager, Ganiyat Eshikhena, welcomed participants and commended their efforts in strengthening data-driven decision-making for malaria control. She underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving the fellowship’s long-term goals.

Providing an overview, Prof. Ehimario Igumbor, an Adjunct Research Professor at NIMR, highlighted the programme’s success in training 133 individuals, including 28 doctoral and post-doctoral-level modellers. He noted that this effort is bridging a critical skills gap in malaria modelling in Nigeria.

Stakeholders reflected on the fellowship’s achievements and explored ways to enhance its impact. Discussions emphasized the need for data-driven malaria control strategies and identified challenges affecting programme implementation. A key recommendation was to boost female participation by engaging women’s networks and professional groups.

Closing the meeting, CMS Managing Director Dr. Chijioke Kaduru thanked stakeholders for their contributions and reaffirmed CMS’s commitment to an inclusive, participatory approach.

“We value your support and insights. Our goal is to co-create solutions that serve everyone, ensuring all voices shape the programme’s direction,” Dr. Kaduru stated.

The review reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration in strengthening malaria modelling expertise and improving public health outcomes in Nigeria.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.