Initiative Inspires Youth in Malaria Campaign

The Block Malaria Africa Initiative has called on young people across the continent to take the lead in the fight against malaria.

Mr Kingsley Obeta, Executive Director of the Initiative, appealed during an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

Obeta issued the call as the world prepares to commemorate World Malaria Day 2025, stressing the urgent need for youth-led strategies in malaria prevention and elimination.

“We are not just future stakeholders; we are present-day changemakers.

“Our energy, innovation, and commitment are vital in the fight against malaria and broader global health challenges,” he said.

A biomedical scientist by profession, Obeta noted that malaria remains a major public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children under the age of five.

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He warned that climate change is exacerbating the situation by expanding mosquito breeding grounds and increasing transmission risks.

In observance of this year’s World Malaria Day, Obeta encouraged young people to harness artificial intelligence (AI), social media, digital tools, and biotechnology to accelerate malaria prevention and treatment.

He urged the youth to advocate for change by using their voices and digital platforms to call for increased funding, stronger political commitment, and greater government accountability in malaria programmes.

Obeta also called on young people to lead grassroots awareness campaigns through peer education, creative storytelling, and myth-busting initiatives in schools, religious institutions, and youth groups.

He encouraged their active involvement in research, including data collection and academic studies, to help develop context-specific solutions.

“There is a need for global collaboration by joining local and international youth networks to co-create sustainable, cross-border initiatives,” he said.

Obeta aligned his message with the stance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, both of which have emphasised the need for renewed investment, sustained political will, and community engagement to eradicate the disease.

“We inherited a world threatened by malaria. Let us ensure that we do not pass it on to the next generation. We are the generation that can end malaria,” he said.

World Malaria Day is observed annually on 25 April to highlight progress in malaria control and to mobilise global support towards its eventual elimination.

This year, Block Malaria Africa is reinforcing the message that young people are not merely part of the conversation—they are central to the solution.

NAN