As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026, stakeholders in the country’s health sector have intensified efforts to combat malaria, with a renewed focus on youth-driven advocacy.
In a significant development, the Department of Public Health under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) for implementation across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, conveyed the Federal Government’s endorsement through the Director of Public Health, Godwin Ntadom, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention aligned with national malaria control efforts.
The government also indicated readiness to integrate the competition’s framework into broader strategies aimed at improving health outcomes and accelerating malaria elimination in the country.
Reacting to the approval, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the GHC, Cletus Iloabanafor, alongside the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Emmanuel Umenwa, described the development as a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against malaria.
They urged Nigerian youths to take up roles as “Ambassadors of War Against Malaria,” positioning them as key drivers of grassroots mobilisation and behavioural change campaigns.
The announcement was made at the Geneith Head Office in Lagos during activities marking the global observance and the formal acceptance of the partnership with the Department of Public Health.
The Geneith Health Competition, powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, is designed to engage students in secondary and tertiary institutions in advocacy, research, and community-based interventions aimed at achieving a malaria-free Nigeria.
Speaking on the urgency of the initiative, Iloabanafor noted that Nigeria accounts for a significant share of global malaria cases and deaths, stressing that youth participation remains critical to reversing the trend.
“Unless Nigeria tackles malaria by carrying the youth along, eradication will remain a mirage,” he said.
He added that the competition would promote health literacy and equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to drive change at the community level.
On his part, Umenwa disclosed that Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed ₦1 billion to the initiative, including ₦400 million in scholarships and cash rewards, as well as ₦600 million worth of educational and outreach materials.
He described the investment as a strategic move to strengthen preventive healthcare and nurture a new generation of health advocates.
“To effectively combat malaria, we must strengthen the entire health system—financing, workforce, and service delivery,” he said.
The initiative has also received endorsements from major student bodies nationwide, further strengthening youth participation in the campaign.
Stakeholders at the event called for sustained national commitment, emphasising that a coordinated and well-funded approach is essential to achieving lasting impact.
Registration for the Geneith Health Competition 2026 is now open to students across Nigeria, offering opportunities to participate in research and advocacy initiatives aimed at eliminating malaria and improving public health outcomes.
