Mobilizing Youth for Malaria Advocacy

The Geneith Health Competition (GHC) has mobilized Nigerian students to take an active role in the fight against malaria as the country joins the global community to commemorate International Youth Day 2026. The initiative seeks to transform young Nigerians into community health advocates capable of driving grassroots sensitization and digital advocacy.

Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, GHC initiator and CEOAFRICA Managing Director, alongside Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, called on the youth to become central figures in the quest for a malaria-free Nigeria. The campaign is anchored on the 2026 International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” highlighting that access to quality health is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving youth potential.

Young Nigerians, regardless of their backgrounds, share common aspirations for good health, quality education, meaningful participation and a prosperous future.

— Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, MD, CEOAFRICA

Academic Partnerships and National Participation

The campaign has gained significant momentum with the formal participation of major educational institutions, including Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, and Sahlan College of Health Science and Technology, Jos. At EKSU, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele has approved student participation, encouraging undergraduates to utilize the platform for both academic and social impact.

Ilobanafor emphasized that malaria remains a significant threat to the education and productivity of young Nigerians. By engaging universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the GHC aims to equip students with the necessary skills to confront the disease at the community level. Participants are being positioned as "Malaria Ambassadors" who will promote improved community sanitation and health awareness.

Competition Structure and Educational Incentives

The GHC is organized by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals, and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel. The initiative features an overall prize pool of N1 billion, which includes cash awards, scholarships, training, and educational materials. The competition is open to students across three categories: junior secondary, senior secondary, and tertiary levels.

• The competition begins with a virtual preliminary examination.
• Top 50 qualifiers from each state will proceed to live public-health quizzes.
• Regional contests will lead to a national grand finale.
• Students from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are eligible.

Registration is currently ongoing through the competition's official website, with the deadline for entries set for October 30. The program is designed to reward academic excellence while simultaneously building a generation capable of contributing to national public health efforts through informed advocacy.

Building a Healthier Future Through Empowerment

Organizers have stressed the importance of uniting across regional, political, and ideological divides to successfully combat malaria. By investing in the health knowledge of young people, the GHC seeks to create a sustainable model for public health intervention that relies on the energy and influence of the youth population.

Empowering young people with health knowledge and educational opportunities is critical to building a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.

— Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, MD, CEOAFRICA

Beyond the competitive aspect, the initiative focuses on leadership and communication development. This approach ensures that the impact of the Geneith Health Competition extends beyond the classroom, fostering a culture of community action and long-term health consciousness among Nigeria's future leaders.