Nigeria joins list of African countries with youth corps to combat malaria and NTDs

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Published: Abuja, August 20, 2024

Nigeria has officially launched the Nigeria Malaria & NTDs Youth Corps, to strengthen the country’s ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria and fight against malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This milestone places Nigeria among the top 10 countries on the continent to mobilise its young people to lead the charge against these devastating diseases.

Today, Nigeria stands proud as the 10th country in Africa to launch a dedicated youth corps focused on malaria and NTDs. We are truly committed to harness the energy, creativity, and passion of our youth to drive transformative change. By joining forces with our young people, we are solidifying our place at the forefront of Africa’s battle against malaria and NTDs.

Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare

The launch event, held in Abuja, was a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership and dedication to malaria elimination. With this launch, Nigeria joins other pioneering countries, including Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Eswatini, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia, in placing youth at the heart of health and development initiatives.

Malaria is endemic throughout Nigeria, placing the entire population at risk of infection. According to the Ministry of Health, the disease is responsible for approximately 60% of outpatient visits, 30% of hospital admissions, and nearly 200,000 deaths annually. Economically, malaria also inflicts substantial losses, impeding productivity and placing a heavy burden on Nigeria’s healthcare system. In addition to malaria, NTDs remain a severe problem in Nigeria, which accounts for around 25% of Africa’s NTD cases. According to the WHO, 165 million people in Nigeria—approximately 84% of the population—require preventive chemotherapy for at least one NTD. This high burden is exacerbated by factors such as the lack of access to clean water and sanitation, further straining the health system and hindering socio-economic development.

The launch of the Nigeria Malaria & NTDs Youth Corps comes at a time when Africa faces a “perfect storm” of challenges that threaten to reverse decades of progress in malaria elimination. These challenges include financial constraints, biological threats such as drug and insecticide resistance, and the intensifying impacts of climate change. With progress in reducing malaria stagnating since 2015, and Africa falling behind in meeting the ambitious targets set by the African Union’s Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria by 2030, a renewed focus on integrated approaches—including youth engagement—is essential.

Engaging youth in the fight against malaria and NTDs is a gamechanger that aligns with the African Union’s efforts to promote youth leadership, as outlined in the Africa Youth Charter and the African Union Roadmap on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth and Agenda 2063. It also aligns with the priority agenda of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), chaired by His Excellency, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, which emphasizes the mobilization of Africa’s youth as a key strategy in winning the battle against malaria.

The energy, creativity, and hard work of young people are crucial in eliminating malaria and NTDs and achieving universal health coverage. The launch of the Nigeria Malaria & NTDs Youth Corps, as the 10th on the continent, is a transformative milestone that propels us closer to ending malaria and NTDs and addressing broader health and development challenges.

Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA

Inspired by the ALMA Youth Strategy and the successful establishment of malaria youth corps in other African countries, the Nigeria Malaria & NTDs Youth Corps will bring together a dynamic group of young Nigerians. These youth champions, trained through the ALMA Scorecard Hub, will play a critical role in advocating for malaria and NTDs elimination, mobilizing resources, and holding stakeholders accountable. Through the ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ campaign and efforts towards Universal Health Coverage, these champions will lead community-based initiatives that drive behavioural change and policy support.

About ALMA

Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is a pioneering coalition of African Heads of State and Government committed to achieving a malaria-free Africa by 2030. All Member States of the African Union are members of ALMA. www.alma2030.org

For more information, please contact:

William Dekker, Technical Advisor – Communication, Advocacy, and Youth, African Leaders Malaria Alliance: