Nigeria’s battle against malaria is entering a new phase as registration officially opens for the Geneith Health Competition, a nationwide initiative designed to mobilise young Nigerians in the campaign to eliminate one of the country’s deadliest diseases.
The competition, organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited through Coatal Forte Softgel, and supported by the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at transforming students into frontline advocates for public health and malaria prevention.
Announcing the commencement of registration, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the competition, Prince Cletus Sunday Iloabanafor, described the programme as a landmark intervention that places Nigerian youths at the centre of a national movement to eradicate malaria.
According to him, the initiative is not merely a health awareness campaign but a strategic platform designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills and leadership capacity needed to drive positive behavioural change in their communities.
Prince Iloabanafor said nations that have successfully eliminated malaria achieved the feat through sustained public participation, strong community engagement and deliberate government action, noting that Nigeria possesses the human capital and determination required to achieve similar results.
He urged students, educational institutions, parents and stakeholders to embrace the initiative, stressing that the country’s large youth population remains a powerful force capable of accelerating progress towards a malaria-free future.
The competition has already generated significant interest among students across the country, many of whom view it as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development while acquiring valuable leadership and advocacy experience.
Health stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention capable of translating awareness into concrete community action and strengthening ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of malaria nationwide.
Speaking on the importance of youth participation, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Emmanuel Umenwa, challenged young Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s healthcare future. He emphasised that the energy, creativity, innovation and digital capacity of Nigerian youths are critical to winning the long-standing battle against malaria.
Umenwa noted that while significant progress has been made in malaria control over the years, sustainable elimination can only be achieved when young people are actively involved in driving awareness, prevention and community mobilisation efforts.
He further described the competition as an investment in future healthcare leadership, saying the initiative would inspire a generation of young Nigerians to embrace health advocacy and community service as tools for national transformation.
A major component of the programme is the training and certification of participants as Malaria Ambassadors. Through this process, students will be equipped with practical knowledge and advocacy skills to promote malaria prevention, encourage healthy practices and lead awareness campaigns within schools and communities.
The Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has also thrown its weight behind the initiative, noting that long-term success against malaria requires sustained grassroots engagement and community-driven action beyond periodic interventions.
Organisers believe the programme’s grassroots approach will create a nationwide network of youth advocates capable of advancing the Zero-Malaria campaign and delivering measurable impact across the country.
With registration now officially open, stakeholders say the Geneith Health Competition represents a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to become part of a historic movement aimed at consigning malaria to history and building a healthier future for generations to come.
