The Geneith Health Competition (GHC) has urged Nigerian youths to take the lead in the fight against malaria, as the country joins the rest of the world to mark International Youth Day 2026.

The GHC initiator and Managing Director of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, and Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, congratulated Nigerian youths and called on students nationwide to become active participants in the campaign for a malaria-free Nigeria.

The call is in line with the 2026 International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” which highlights the shared aspirations of young people despite differences in their social, economic and geographical circumstances.

The campaign received a boost with the formal participation of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, and Sahlan College of Health Science and Technology, Jos, ahead of the October 30 registration deadline.

Ilobanafor said young Nigerians, irrespective of their backgrounds, share common aspirations for good health, quality education, meaningful participation and a prosperous future, noting that malaria remains a major threat to these aspirations.

He urged more universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to join the competition, describing it as an opportunity for students to win scholarships, develop leadership skills and contribute to public health advocacy.

Ilobanafor called on Nigerians to unite across regional, political and ideological lines to confront malaria, stressing that equipping young people with health knowledge and educational opportunities was critical to building a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.

At EKSU, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, approved students’ participation and encouraged undergraduates to compete for the top prizes, while Sahlan College also expressed its commitment to the initiative.

Organisers said student participation had increased nationwide, with youths being positioned as Malaria Ambassadors to promote grassroots sensitisation, digital advocacy and community sanitation.

The GHC, organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, has an overall N1 billion prize pool covering cash awards, scholarships, training and educational materials across junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary categories.

The competition will begin with a virtual preliminary examination, after which the top 50 qualifiers in each state will advance to live public-health quizzes, regional contests and the national grand finale.

Students across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory can register for the competition before the October 30 deadline.