Nigeria marked World Malaria Day 2026 with a renewed push to eliminate the disease as the Federal Government approved the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), a youth-focused initiative to be implemented across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in partnership with the Department of Public Health under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The endorsement was conveyed by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, through the Director of Public Health, Godwin Ntadom, who described the initiative as a strategic intervention capable of improving health outcomes and accelerating malaria elimination nationwide.
Speaking during the launch in Lagos, CEOAFRICA Managing Director and initiator of the competition, Cletus Iloabanafor, said Nigerian youths must become “Ambassadors of War Against Malaria,” leading grassroots mobilisation, advocacy, research and behavioural change campaigns in schools and communities.
He warned that Nigeria still carries about 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 per cent of malaria-related deaths, stressing that malaria eradication would remain difficult without active youth participation.
He also called for malaria education to return strongly to schools, saying sustained investment, innovation and national ownership are critical to ending the burden.
Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Emmanuel Umenwa, announced a ₦1 billion commitment to the project, including ₦400 million for scholarships and cash rewards, alongside ₦600 million worth of educational materials and outreach support.
Registration for the 2026 competition is now open to students nationwide.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo