As the world observes World Malaria Day 2026, health stakeholders in Nigeria have stepped up coordinated efforts to reduce the burden of malaria, placing renewed focus on youth participation as a key driver of long-term change.
In a significant development, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) for implementation across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, in collaboration with its Department of Public Health.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, conveyed the Federal Government’s endorsement through the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, describing the initiative as a strategic tool in Nigeria’s push toward malaria elimination.
The government also indicated readiness to integrate the programme into broader national health interventions aimed at improving awareness, prevention, and treatment outcomes.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the project, Prince Cletus Iloabanafor, alongside the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Emmanuel Umenwa, described the approval as a major step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s fight against malaria.
They also called on young Nigerians to take active roles as “Ambassadors in the War Against Malaria,” encouraging student-led advocacy, research, and community engagement to drive behavioural change at the grassroots.
The announcement was made at the Geneith Head Office in Lagos during events marking World Malaria Day and the formalisation of the partnership with the Department of Public Health.
The Geneith Health Competition, powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, is designed to engage secondary and tertiary institution students across the country in malaria awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and community outreach activities.
According to organisers, the programme aligns with Nigeria’s national malaria control strategy, particularly in promoting health education and strengthening preventive practices at community level.
Iloabanafor noted that Nigeria continues to bear a significant share of the global malaria burden, accounting for about 27 percent of cases and 31 percent of malaria-related deaths worldwide.
He warned that without stronger youth involvement and sustained public engagement, efforts to eliminate the disease could remain limited.
“Malaria cannot be eliminated without the active participation of young people who form the majority of our population,” he said.
He added that the competition is intended to build health awareness from an early age, using education and innovation to empower students as agents of change.
Supporting the initiative, Umenwa disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed ₦1 billion to the project, including ₦400 million in scholarships and cash rewards, as well as ₦600 million worth of educational and outreach materials.
He described the investment as part of a broader effort to strengthen preventive healthcare and encourage innovation among young Nigerians.
Stakeholders from various student bodies have also endorsed the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that aligns with national health priorities.
Organisers stressed that sustained collaboration between government, private sector actors, and young people is essential to achieving meaningful progress in malaria control.
Registration for the 2026 Geneith Health Competition is currently open, with students nationwide encouraged to participate in advocacy and research efforts aimed at building a malaria-free Nigeria.
