Leaders of prominent student groups have urged government and key stakeholders to unite to eliminate the persistent threat of malaria.
The appeal was made over the weekend during a collaborative press briefing marking the official launch of registrations for the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), which is a student-driven initiative targeting malaria awareness.
The competition has already attracted over 200 pre-registered participants backed by a leading pharmaceutical firm, Geneith Pharmaceuticals, to propagate the advocacy campaign to combat malaria, a disease that still affects millions each year, through the competition in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, remarked that the campaign is a milestone in youth-led health advocacy.
He said, “This competition empowers students to do more than just speak it challenges them to innovate, educate, and lead in their communities.
“It’s a first-of-its-kind platform where every student has the opportunity to shape Nigeria’s health future.”
Chief Uwenwa affirmed, “This is just the beginning with collective effort and the energy of our youth, a malaria-free Nigeria is within reach.”
On his part, the Project Lead, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, buttressed the competition’s alignment with global health goals, noting that it provides a springboard for student-led innovation in malaria prevention and treatment.
“Gone are the days when young people waited for change,” Ilobanafor said. “With this competition, Nigerian students are actively changing the narrative.”
He, however, asserted that Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed ₦1 billion to the initiative, earmarking N400 million in cash prizes and ₦600 million in gifts, scholarships, and incentives to reward outstanding student projects, campaigns, and policy ideas.
The Geneith Health competition endorsed by the Federal Government has enjoined students to propose context-specific malaria interventions through research, outreach, and advocacy.
The student-led organisations comprising of National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS),and the National Association of University Students (NAUS) echoed their strong support to combating Malaria in society.
In his remarks, President of NANCES,
Amb. Comr. Egunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun, noted “Malaria remains a major threat to students well-being and productivity. This competition is more than a contest—it is a platform for real change.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising healthcare reform and applauded the Federal Ministry of Health for sustained malaria control efforts.
President of NAPS, Comrade Oyewumi Ayomide, underscored the competition as a critical tool for equipping students with life-saving health knowledge and a problem-solving mindset.
“We are fostering a generation that values preventive health and scientific thinking,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National President of NAUS, Comrade Josiah Oche, canvassed for the urgency of student involvement in national health initiatives.
He stated, “Malaria is still a leading killer, but students can turn the tide through this competition, we are not just creating awareness, we are building leaders and innovators.”
The campaign is already gaining traction in institutions across the country through outreach programmes, campus awareness drives, and student-led community projects. Organisers are calling on government bodies, development agencies, and private sector partners to help scale and sustain the initiative.
Consequently, registration for the Geneith Health Competition began on June 1, 2025, and the grand competition is scheduled for December, 2025.
