In a significant step to combat one of Nigeria’s deadliest yet preventable diseases, the Federal School of Statistics (FSS), Ibadan, has launched the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), positioning students as frontline ambassadors in the national fight against malaria.

The programme, inaugurated on November 12, brought together school management, students, and health sector leaders, signaling a decisive move to mobilize schools nationwide in malaria advocacy, education, and environmental hygiene.

In her address, Rector Mrs. Olugu Mercy Uche praised the organisers for selecting FSS as part of the national campaign, noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes accessible healthcare for all Nigerians.

“This project strikes at the core of a major public health challenge,” she said. “By involving our students as ambassadors, we are empowering a generation to champion hygiene, community advocacy, and malaria prevention across the nation.”

Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, initiator of the GHC and MD/CEO of CEOAFRICA, stressed that malaria, though deadly, is preventable. “Every Nigerian, from schools to communities, must act. Weekly sanitation, proper waste disposal, and mosquito net usage are simple steps that save lives,” he said. He added that the initiative is Africa’s first student-focused malaria awareness project, supported by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and Coatal Forte Softgel.

The initiative equips students with practical skills to lead change in their schools and communities, turning awareness into action. The Student Union Government, led by Sen. E.K. Olugbuyi, pledged full support, promising active participation in weekly sanitation exercises and environmental clean-ups.

The launch concluded with a collective pledge from the FSS community to champion malaria prevention and environmental hygiene, sending a strong message that the fight against malaria is a shared national responsibility.