A powerful youth movement is sweeping across Nigerian campuses as students take center stage in the fight against malaria through the ₦1 billion Geneith Health Competition (GHC) — a nationwide initiative that is now being recognized as one of the largest youth-driven public health campaigns in Africa.
Spearheaded by CEOAfrica and sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, the competition was formally launched in Abuja and is targeting students across secondary schools, polytechnics, colleges of education, and universities. The GHC is designed to stimulate innovation, drive awareness, and build grassroots action against malaria — a disease that continues to hinder the health and academic progress of millions of young Nigerians.
Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, described the campaign as a milestone in youth-led health advocacy. “This competition empowers students to do more than just speak — it challenges them to innovate, educate, and lead in their communities,” he said during the launch. “It’s a first-of-its-kind platform where every student has the opportunity to shape Nigeria’s health future.”
Backing this vision, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Project Lead for the competition, said the initiative aligns closely with global health priorities and serves as a launching pad for student-led innovation in malaria prevention and treatment. “Gone are the days when young people waited for change,” he stated. “With this competition, Nigerian students are actively changing the narrative.”
Cletus revealed that the organizers have committed ₦1 billion to the project — ₦400 million in cash prizes and ₦600 million in gifts, scholarships, and other incentives — to reward impactful student-led projects, campaigns, and ideas.
The Federal Government has also thrown its weight behind the competition. On May 2, 2025, it joined forces with Geneith Pharmaceuticals to unveil the initiative officially, inviting students nationwide to design context-specific malaria interventions through research, community outreach, and policy advocacy. Read more here.
Student associations have welcomed the initiative with strong enthusiasm. At a joint press conference in Abuja, Amb. Comr. Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun, President of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), speaking on behalf of NANCES, NAUS, and NAPS, called for urgent and united action to eliminate malaria from Nigerian campuses.
“Malaria remains a major threat to students’ wellbeing and productivity. This competition is more than a contest — it is a platform for real change,” Eegunjobi said. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing healthcare reform and praised the Federal Ministry of Health for sustained malaria control efforts.
Comr. Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), described the competition as a vital tool for equipping students with life-saving health knowledge and a proactive mindset. “We are fostering a generation that values preventive health and scientific problem-solving,” he noted.
Comr. Josiah Peter Oche, National President of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), emphasized the importance of student involvement in tackling national health issues. “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,” he said.
The GHC is already reaching institutions across Nigeria, with coordinated outreach programs, campus awareness drives, and community projects underway. Organizers are urging broader support from government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to scale impact and sustain momentum.
“This is just the beginning,” Chief Umenwa affirmed. “Through collective effort and student energy, a malaria-free Nigeria is within reach.”
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