The 2025 edition of the NIMSA/Auwal Shanono/OCI Foundation Literary & Research Award for Medical Students (LARAMS) is now open for submissions. This marks the fifth national and sixth regional edition of the competition, offering students the opportunity to win cash prizes and contribute to a lifesaving cause.
The essay topic for this year is “Seconds matter: The impact of Early CPR in Cardiac Emergencies and Justifying the OCI Foundation’s Plan to Empower All Nigerians through the ‘Basic Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Response Strategies (BACERS)’ Project.”
Organizers say the competition is aimed at promoting awareness about the importance of emergency response in saving lives. According to a statement from the OCI Foundation, “Nigerian lives have been lost needlessly from sudden deaths resulting from collapses, accidents and other unfortunate issues. A big problem is that an overwhelming proportion of Nigerians are ill-equipped to respond properly in these life and death situations, with many lacking even the minimum knowledge of emergency resuscitation measures.”
In response, the Foundation is preparing to launch the BACERS program. This initiative is designed to educate Nigerians aged 10 and above in all 36 states and the FCT on how to respond to emergencies through CPR and other lifesaving strategies. The Foundation added, “The goal of BACERS is to ensure that a minimum of 50% of all targeted Nigerians gain the required knowledge and skills within two years of the program roll-out, with 75% achieving the same in five years.”
Submissions for the essay competition began on July 1, 2025, and will close on August 7, 2025. Participation is open to medical students enrolled in any recognized Nigerian medical school.
Winners at the national level will receive N150,000, N100,000, and N70,000 for first, second, and third place respectively. Seven consolation prizes of N20,000 each will also be awarded. The regional contest will offer N100,000, N70,000, and N50,000 to the top three entries, plus three consolation prizes of N20,000.
All winners will gain membership in the OCI Foundation. Students in South-east medical schools may participate in the national category.
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