2026 World Malaria Day: Nigerian youths urged to lead anti-malaria fight

… as FG backs competition

In commemoration of the 2026 World Malaria Day, stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have intensified coordinated efforts to combat malaria, with renewed emphasis on youth-driven advocacy as a pathway to national transformation.

Tribune Online reports that in a bid to tackle malaria, the Department of Public Health under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria, has formally approved the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) for implementation across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, conveyed the Federal Government’s endorsement through the Director of Public Health, Godwin Ntadom, recognising the initiative as a strategic intervention.

The government also signalled its readiness to adopt the framework as part of broader national efforts to improve health outcomes and accelerate malaria elimination.

Speaking, the initiator of the GHC, Prince Cletus Iloabanafor, alongside the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Emmanuel Umenwa, described the approval as a significant milestone in building a united front against malaria.

The duo used the occasion to call on Nigerian youth to serve as “Ambassadors of War Against Malaria,” positioning young people at the forefront of grassroots mobilisation and behavioural change campaigns.

The announcement was made at the Geneith Head Office in Lagos during activities commemorating the global observance and the formal acceptance of the Department of Public Health partnership.

The GHC initiative, powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, is designed to empower students across secondary and tertiary institutions to champion advocacy, research, and community engagement toward a malaria-free Nigeria, Blueprint.ng reports.

Implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health, the competition aligns with national malaria control strategies, particularly in advancing behavioural change communication and strengthening community-level interventions.

Speaking on the urgency of the initiative, Prince Iloabanafor said Nigeria accounts for about 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent of malaria-related deaths, adding that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without active youth participation.

Stressing that “unless Nigeria tackles malaria by carrying the youth along, eradication will remain a mirage,” Prince Ilobanafor warned that inaction could prolong the country’s malaria burden.

According to him, the competition was conceived as a platform to promote health literacy among young Nigerians, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to become change agents.

Drawing on global success models, he emphasised sustained investment, innovation, and national ownership as critical to success.

“We must revive malaria education in schools. Malaria has taken too much from us, but with commitment and shared responsibility, it can be defeated,” he said.

Calling for sustained national commitment, Prince Iloabanafor emphasised that only a coordinated, well-funded approach can ensure impact across all states and the FCT, adding, “The time has come for Nigeria to take full ownership of the fight against malaria. Without decisive action, we risk repeating the same narrative year after year.”

The Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Emmanuel Umenwa, while speaking, said the pharmaceutical company has committed N1billion to the initiative, including N400 million in scholarships and cash rewards, alongside N600 million worth of educational materials and outreach items.

Umenwa described the investment as a strategic effort to nurture a new generation of health advocates, saying, “To effectively combat malaria, we must strengthen the entire health system financing, workforce, and service delivery.”

Reiterating the importance of youth-driven innovation in preventive healthcare, he noted that the initiative has also secured endorsements from major student bodies nationwide, reinforcing a unified front among Nigeria’s youth population.

Registration for the Geneith Health Competition 2026 is now open, inviting students across the country to participate in research and advocacy initiatives aimed at eliminating malaria and shaping a healthier future for Nigeria.