Health
NO doubt, research remains the bedrock of any nation seeking to develop and remain relevant in today’s fast-paced, globalised world.
Research plays a vital role in driving innovation, economic growth, and societal progress especially in the competitive sphere of science.
Nigeria, being the most populous Africa country, potentially has the highest concentration of medical schools and universities on the continent, yet faces some of the worst public health challenges, including the highest global burden of malaria.
In spite of the country being blessed with human resources, inadequate funding for research remains the bane of its desire to addressing some of its challenges especially in the area of medical research.
It is to mitigate the challenges affecting research capacity building in the country, that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) established the NIMR Foundation.
The foundation, a non profit organisation, was officially inaugurated in 2021 during the leadership of its former Director-General, Prof. Babatunde Salako, alongside an inauguration to raise N10 billion funds to promote and increase research capacity in the country.
The organisation has the mandate to build and expand capacity for translational research among early career investigators.
It also hopes to promote innovation, development and commercialisation of home-grown medicines, vaccines and technologies to address the health problems of Nigeria in particular, and Africa at large.
The foundation’s Board of Trustees comprised eminent Nigerians, and headed by a Babatunde Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos State.
Its members include the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi and Prof. Oni Idigbe, Prof. Oye Gureje and veteran broadcaster, Mrs Moji Makanjuola.
In 2022, NIMR Foundation hit the ground running by organising its maiden Grantsmanship and Mentorship Training Programmes (GMTP).
The GMTP targets early career researchers selected from research and academic institutions across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Consistently, the NIMR foundation has continued to live up to expectations.
Having commemorated its third anniversary in September 2024, GMTP has had a significant impact on the research community, with over 90 researchers benefiting from the programme since its inception.
Dr Ayodapo Jegede’s testimonial highlights the programmes’ strengths, particularly the expertise and experience of its facilitators.
Jegede, a Clinical Pharmacist at Obafemi Awolowo University, said: “I have been exposed to a lot of things within the short period of time being under the tutelage of our facilitators and it has been extraordinary moment for me.
“One thing that stood out for me is being able to work together in a group and we are in an era where inter-professional collaboration is key if we must forge ahead in research.
“NIMR Foundation is doing well by using the seed funds they have to train researchers and the fact that we’re trying to solve problems that are particular to Nigeria requires a lot of funding and resources.”
Also, Dr Grace Adebanjo-Gege, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Physiology, Baze University, Abuja, said the training was a major eye opener which had further enhanced her research skills.
Adebanjo-Gege urged other research institutions and states to emulate NIMR foundation in building the capacity of researchers in the country.
“This is a great learning avenue for me and other researchers to hone our skills and this opportunity has opened my eyes to see and understand things that will take me years to achieve.
“It has also awakened my spirit to translational research which is the way to go and we need more of these trainings to boost research capacity in the country,” she said.
A Professor of Periodontology at the University of Benin, Adebola Ehizele, said translational research would play a key role in addressing and providing solutions to health issues peculiar to Nigeria.
Ehizele, a resource person at 2024 GMTP, said that NIMR foundation was already taking the lead in ensuring that researches carried out, were translated into policies through its grantsmanship and mentorship training for researchers across the country.
“Translational research is the way to go to address some of our health challenges as a nation.
“Whatever evidence that is generated during research is taken to the next level, to be translated to either a product or some form of solution to some of our health issues.
“This is what NIMR Foundation is all about and the government must do more to support and promote translational research in the country,” she said.
Another facilitator, Dr Uwa Okhuarobo, a Field Epidemiologist at the Nigeria Field Epidemiology Programme, urged government to leverage NIMR Foundation programme to further expand the country’s research capacity.
“I believe it will be a good opportunity for us in Nigeria to use NIMR Foundation platform to support and promote translational research.
“This can help to shape the health sector with innovative research that can be translated to innovative solutions to our various health issues and advertise Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the world,” he said.
As NIMR foundation continues to impact positively on researchers with its mentorship programmes, there is the need for government to increase funding for medical research that will proffer solutions to health challenges that are peculiar to our clime.
Researchers must continue to probe and proffer solutions through evidence-based, cutting-edge research and adaptable innovation to promote the health and well-being of citizens and the global landscape. (NAN)
5th January, 2025.
C.E.
Tags:
