World Malaria Day 2026: GHC Promoters Rally Young Nigerians as FG Supports Competition

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have stepped up coordinated efforts to fight malaria, with renewed emphasis on youth-led advocacy as a path to national transformation.

To this end, the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria has formally approved the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) for implementation in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, conveyed the federal government’s support through the Director of Public Health, Godwin Ntadom, recognizing the initiative as a strategic intervention.

It also signaled its willingness to adopt the framework as part of broader national efforts to improve health outcomes and accelerate the elimination of malaria.

CEOAFRICA Chief Executive Officer and GHC Promoter, Prince Cletus Iloabanafor, together with the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Emmanuel Umenwa, described the approval as a significant milestone in building a united front against malaria.

The duo took the opportunity to call on young Nigerians to serve as “ambassadors of the war against malaria”, positioning young people at the forefront of grassroots mobilization and behavioral change campaigns.

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

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

Implemented in collaboration with the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health, the competition is aligned with national malaria control strategies, particularly in promoting behavioral change communication and strengthening community-level interventions.

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

Stressing that “unless Nigeria tackles malaria by taking its youth with it, eradication will remain a mirage”, Prince Ilobanafor warned that inaction could prolong the burden of malaria in the country.

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

Drawing on global models of success, he emphasized that sustained investment, innovation and national ownership are key 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 stressed that only a coordinated and well-funded approach can ensure impact across all states and the FCT, adding: “The time has come for Nigeria to take full responsibility for the fight against malaria. Without decisive action, we risk repeating the same narrative year after year.”

Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd Chairman Emmanuel Umenwa, while speaking, said the pharmaceutical company has committed ₦1 billion to the initiative, including ₦400 million in scholarships and prize money, along with ₦600 million in educational materials and awareness items.

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

Reiterating the importance of youth-led innovation in preventive healthcare, he noted that the initiative has also garnered support from leading student bodies nationwide, strengthening a united front among Nigeria’s youth population.

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