DMGS, St Patrick’s, Muwanshat Academy Join Geneith Health Competition As Race For ₦1bn Prize Gains Momentum

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IBADAN – The race for national honours in Nigeria’s largest school-based health advocacy competition has intensified, with three prominent educational institutions joining the Geneith Health Competition (GHC) to compete for a share of the over ₦1 billion prize package.

The institutions—Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha; St. Patrick’s College, Asaba; and Muwanshat International Academy, Jalingo have officially registered for the competition, reinforcing the initiative’s growing national appeal and commitment to raising a new generation of young health advocates dedicated to combating malaria.

Their participation marks another milestone for the nationwide programme, which is increasingly attracting schools across the country as both an academic competition and a platform for promoting public health awareness, leadership and community engagement.

The latest registrations followed sensitisation visits by Geneith Health Competition activators across different regions of Nigeria.

In Taraba State, the North-East Regional Health Activator, Abduljalilu Sani Garba, visited Muwanshat International Academy in Jalingo, where he was warmly received by the school’s management and students.

Garba commended the institution for its commitment to academic excellence, describing the atmosphere during the visit as one filled with enthusiasm, confidence and healthy competition. According to him, the students demonstrated exceptional eagerness to participate, underscoring the competition’s growing influence in inspiring young Nigerians to become advocates for better health.

A similar reception greeted the South-East Regional Health Activator, Mrs. Chinyere Chidimma Olisa, during her visit to the historic Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha.

She praised the school’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence, discipline and character development, noting that the students displayed remarkable enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity from the moment the programme was introduced.

Mrs. Olisa expressed confidence that DMGS would emerge as one of the strongest contenders as the competition progresses to the national finals.

School administrators at the participating institutions described the Geneith Health Competition as a timely initiative that effectively bridges education and public health while equipping students with leadership skills, critical thinking abilities and a stronger sense of social responsibility.

Welcoming the initiative to DMGS, the Principal, Revd. Dr. Chiemezie Ogidi, commended the organisers for introducing a programme that empowers students to play active roles in addressing one of Nigeria’s most persistent public health challenges.

He observed that malaria continues to disrupt learning by keeping countless students away from classrooms, adding that the competition offers an innovative approach to transforming young people from victims of the disease into advocates for its prevention and eventual elimination.

According to him, the programme aligns with the school’s tradition of academic excellence and holistic character development.

“Malaria remains one of the greatest threats to the future of our young people. Initiatives like this equip students with the knowledge they need to protect themselves while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to society,” Ogidi said.

He assured the organisers that the school would provide participants with the necessary academic support, including study materials and mentorship, expressing confidence that DMGS would compete strongly for the national title.

Reacting to the increasing participation of schools nationwide, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and initiator of the Geneith Health Competition, Prince Cletus Sunday Iloabanafor, described the growing interest as evidence that Nigerian schools are embracing education-driven solutions to public health challenges.

He noted that the participation of respected institutions from the South-East, South-South and North-East reflects the programme’s expanding national acceptance and reinforces its vision of building a united front against malaria.

According to Iloabanafor, the competition was conceived after witnessing the devastating impact malaria continues to have on the academic performance and future prospects of millions of Nigerian children.

He stressed that beyond rewarding academic excellence, the initiative is designed to nurture informed young leaders who will champion healthy living within their schools, homes and communities.

“The Geneith Health Competition has become much more than a quiz competition. It is a national movement committed to raising a generation of health ambassadors who understand that preventing malaria begins with knowledge, discipline and community action,” he said.

He urged participating students to prepare diligently and advised parents, schools and students to rely only on official communication channels for authentic information regarding the competition.

Iloabanafor also directed all Geneith Health Competition activators to wear approved identification tags during school visits to ensure transparency throughout the registration process.

Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and sponsor of the initiative, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, charged Nigerian youths to embrace their responsibility as champions of healthier communities.

He described malaria as one of Nigeria’s greatest public health burdens, stressing that the creativity, innovation and energy of young people remain vital to achieving lasting success in the fight against the disease.

Chief Umenwa further disclosed that the Geneith Health Competition is designed as an annual national programme, with future editions expected to expand beyond malaria to address other critical public health and safety issues affecting the country.

Organised by CEOAFRICA, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, the Geneith Health Competition is endorsed by the Department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The competition is open to students in junior secondary schools, senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria. It will be conducted in three stages, State, Regional and National Finals.

Participants will begin with an online qualifying examination before progressing to physical state competitions, where successful contestants will earn places at the regional stage and ultimately the grand national finale.

To reward outstanding performance, the organisers have announced prizes valued at over ₦1 billion, including cash awards, scholarships, educational materials, healthcare products, training opportunities and certificates of merit.

As nationwide registration continues, eligible public and private secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been encouraged to complete their registration through the official Geneith Health Competition portal before the October 30, 2026 national finale.

With the participation of some of Nigeria’s most respected educational institutions and growing enthusiasm among students nationwide, the Geneith Health Competition is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s most impactful youth-centred education and public health initiatives, combining academic excellence with a sustained campaign against malaria and a vision for a healthier future.