As the world prepares to mark World Malaria Day 2025, Block Malaria Africa has called on young people across the continent to take the lead in the battle against malaria, a disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually in Africa.
Executive director of Block Malaria Africa, Mr. Odinaka Obeta made the call in an interview with Science Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja, stressing the urgent need for youth-led solutions to strengthen malaria control and elimination efforts.
“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 stated.
Obeta, who is also a biomedical scientist, noted that malaria remains one of the most significant public health threats in sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children under the age of five. He explained that climate change is compounding the crisis by expanding mosquito breeding grounds and raising transmission risks.
In the build-up to this year’s World Malaria Day, he urged young people to harness technologies such as artificial intelligence, social media, digital tools and biotechnology to accelerate malaria prevention and treatment strategies. He encouraged them to use their voices and digital platforms to advocate for increased funding, stronger political commitment and greater government accountability in malaria programmes.
Obeta emphasised the power of grassroots activism, urging young people to drive awareness campaigns through peer education, creative storytelling, and myth-busting initiatives in schools, religious centres, and community youth groups. He also encouraged active participation in research, including data collection and academic studies, to support localised, context-specific solutions.
He further called on youths to collaborate globally by joining local and international youth networks focused on co-creating sustainable, cross-border initiatives to combat malaria. Aligning his message with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Obeta underscored the importance of renewed investment, sustained political will and vibrant community engagement to defeat the disease.
“We inherited a world threatened by malaria. Let’s ensure we don’t pass it on to the next generation. We are the generation that can end malaria,” he concluded.
Science Nigeria reports that World Malaria Day is commemorated annually on April 25 to reflect on progress in malaria control and to mobilise global efforts towards its eradication. This year, Block Malaria Africa is reaffirming that young people are not just participants in the conversation but leaders at the heart of the solution.
