In a momentous move towards combating malaria, a disease that remains a profound public health challenge in Nigeria, the Geneith National Health Competition was officially launched on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Abuja. This innovative initiative, designed to harness the energy and creativity of the nation's youth, aims to eradicate malaria through a robust framework of education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Organized by CEOAFRICA in collaboration with Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the competition boasts an impressive prize pool of ₦1 billion, comprising ₦400 million in cash and ₦600 million in invaluable gift items aimed at stimulating participation among students in junior and senior secondary schools, as well as those in tertiary institutions.
Addressing attendees at the launch, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the initiative's timely relevance. He stated, "While countries like Belgium, Britain, and the United States eliminated malaria decades ago, Nigeria continues to carry a heavy burden. It’s time to move from talk to action."
Dr. Ntadom highlighted that malaria extends beyond being a mere health issue; it is an environmental, infrastructural, and socioeconomic challenge. "We must address the root causes—poor drainage, overcrowded communities, and low awareness. This competition supports our national strategy by engaging communities directly through the youth," he added, declaring the competition officially open.
The vision of the initiative was articulated by Mr. Umenwa Emmanuel, MD/CEO of Geneith Pharmaceuticals. He described the competition as a vital part of the company's corporate social responsibility, underlining its commitment to addressing Nigeria's malaria crisis through youth-driven innovation. "This isn’t just another event; it’s a deliberate platform for youth to reimagine and reengineer solutions to malaria. According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports, malaria is a disease responsible for 27% of global cases and 31% of deaths, particularly among children under five," he remarked.
Emmanuel stressed the urgency of the cause, citing alarming statistics from 2022, when Nigeria recorded over 66.7 million malaria cases and more than 189,000 deaths. "This year’s theme, 'Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite, and Stay Committed,' is a call to action. We are asking our youth to think creatively, embrace technology, and take ownership of this fight," he encouraged.
Pharm. (Mrs.) Wosilat O. Giwa, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, lauded the initiative as more than a health program, describing it as a "movement—a powerful call to roll back malaria through education, advocacy, and active engagement." She reminded attendees that Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Niger account for more than half of global malaria deaths and insisted, "But we are not helpless."
Reinforcing the potential of youth-led advocacy, Giwa noted, "New tools like advanced insecticide-treated nets and vaccines offer hope. But the real game-changer is an informed, engaged youth population."
Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), reinforced the need for greater support in local drug manufacturing, stating, "We need to back efforts that strengthen local production. It will make essential medicines more accessible and affordable."
Prof. Cyril Usifoh, the Immediate Past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and co-chairman of the College of Assessors, also commended Geneith Pharmaceuticals for its bold initiative. He remarked, "For you to have taken this bold step to address this problem, we say kudos to you, particularly when Nigeria accounts for over 25% of malaria cases in the world. Taking the opportunity to invest and reignite this issue is quite welcoming, making sure that this opportunity is propagated by students, particularly those in higher education.
"It is also remarkable because when they are more enlightened, they will be able to drive what we need to do to bring down this disease in society. We believe that other stakeholders will emulate your effort and work with you, and together we can bring the burden of malaria down in this country so that our workforce can benefit."
In his address, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA and Team Lead for this project, characterized the competition as one of the largest youth-focused malaria campaigns in Africa, leveraging the potential of the young population. He mentioned that over ₦400 million has been set aside as cash prizes, while an additional ₦600 million will go toward gifts, scholarships, and other rewards. "We want to stimulate not just competition but innovation. This will empower young people to research, develop ideas, and lead advocacy efforts in their communities," he stated.
Ilobanafor elaborated on the competition's structure, explaining that it will be conducted nationwide as a quiz competition with three distinct categories: Junior Secondary School (JSS), Senior Secondary School (SSS), and Tertiary Institutions.
“The first round will be online at the state level, after which winners will proceed to physical regional contests. From there, the winners will advance to the regional stage and ultimately to the national finals. Only the top participant at each stage will move on to the next,” he stated.
Ilobanafor highlighted that the competition will run on a one-year cycle, with registration commencing on June 1, 2025. A 14-member College of Assessors, drawn from various healthcare sectors, will oversee the process to ensure fairness and integrity throughout the competition. He noted that the prizes for participants range significantly—from ₦300,000 to ₦5 million for the JSS category, ₦500,000 to ₦10 million for the SSS category, and ₦2.5 million to ₦15 million for the tertiary category.
Ilobanafor emphasized the importance of youth involvement in health advocacy, saying, “When the youths take the lead in advocating for health initiatives, it creates ripples of awareness that resonate throughout society.” This sentiment echoes the broader goals of the Geneith National Health Competition—empowering the next generation to be champions in the fight against malaria, ultimately nurturing a more health-conscious society in Nigeria. "We encourage other patriotic Nigerians to follow Geneith’s example,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the initiative, Amb. Comrade Egunjobi Samuel Oluwaseyi, speaking on behalf of over 40 million Nigerian students, declared, “This is not just a malaria campaign; it is a life-saving mission. Nigerian students are fully behind this. We must fight this disease together.” He commended the visionary leadership of Geneith Pharmaceuticals and CEOAFRICA, emphasizing, “The future of this fight lies in our hands.”
With unanimous endorsements from the Federal Government, health leaders, and student organizations, the Geneith National Health Competition is poised to ignite a grassroots movement against malaria across Nigeria—one that is fueled by the passion and innovation of its young leaders. Together, they can pave the way for a healthier, malaria-free future.
