The Lagos State government has called for increased research investment to drive national development, address public health challenges and ensure Nigeria’s readiness for future pandemics.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, appealed yesterday at the 14th edition of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research International Conference on Health Advances, Innovation, and Research (NIMR-ICHAIR) in Lagos.
Acknowledging the current funding challenges, Abayomi noted that the country was not yet investing enough in research. He highlighted efforts by the federal and state governments to increase funding for research.
The commissioner said: “In a country with multiple priorities, we must carefully allocate resources. But as our income grows, we are seeing more focus on funding local research to address local problems.”
Abayomi emphasised that countries prioritising research investments are better positioned to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life for their citizens.He stressed the importance of leveraging NIMR’s expertise to advance medical research in the country.
Former President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun, who gave the keynote address, highlighted the importance of evidence-based solutions, human capital development and sustained financial investment in research to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He cited the country’s commendable response during the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, noting that its use of research contributed significantly to the overall success in containing the virus.
Osibogun, however, underscored that meaningful research requires substantial investment, emphasising that it yields high returns on investment over time.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s readiness for future pandemics, the don stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach involving government, the health sector, and other critical stakeholders.
Speaking earlier, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMR, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, called for greater collaboration, investment and multidisciplinary research to address the mounting public health challenges facing Nigeria and the global community.
He said global health is increasingly threatened by evolving public health issues, such as weakened healthcare systems, vaccine hesitancy, the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance, food safety, malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and environmental pollution.
Obafunwa highlighted the critical role Lagos State plays in driving health innovation and research in Nigeria. He credited the state government and its health commissioner for their financial and logistical support in combating infectious diseases and addressing other public health concerns.
Obafunwa also stressed the need for research into critical areas, including water quality, malaria prevalence, and emerging pathogens, highlighting the potential of vaccine production and genomic studies, areas where Lagos State is making strides.He discussed ongoing genomic research that could provide insights into disease origins and genetic diversity within the region.
He underscored NIMR’s readiness to partner with local and international stakeholders, citing previous collaborations with government agencies and global partners as examples of what can be achieved with concerted effort.
