The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) have teamed up with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Surgery Unit, Nigeria Hub, to strengthen patient-centred surgical research and promote ethical standards.

This was revealed during a three-day engagement conference themed “Equipping Surgeons for Surgical Research – Role of Regulatory Institutions,” held in Lagos from January 8 to 10, 2025.

The event, organised by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Surgery Unit, Nigeria Hub, gathered representatives from over 30 institutions nationwide to foster collaboration between regulatory bodies and researchers, boosting Nigeria’s capacity for advanced surgical research and patient care.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, explained the importance of research in advancing Nigeria’s health sector.

He said, “The NIHR Global Surgery Unit has conducted groundbreaking studies, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing evidence on infection prevention in surgical theatres and managing post-COVID surgical patients. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising the health sector through research and collaboration.”

Shoretire also emphasised the federal government’s dedication to health system renewal, focusing on leadership, population health outcomes, health security, and research.

He added, “Through this initiative, we aim to boost surgical research in tertiary institutions and improve preparedness for outbreaks like cholera and Ebola, ensuring better outcomes for all Nigerians.”

NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Clinical Trials, Dr. Beno Yakubu, praised the efforts of the NIHR Nigeria Hub and its collaborators for their focus on generating local data to inform public health policies.

“We are happy to see the spread of clinical trials across zones in Nigeria and the capacity-building initiatives that include surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. It is vital that forums like these provide feedback mechanisms for every study conducted,” he stated.

Director of the NIHR Global Surgery Unit, Nigeria Hub and a consultant paediatric surgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Adesoji Ademuyiwa, highlighted the need for regulatory bodies in clinical research.

“Research must prioritise patient safety, and approvals from NAFDAC and NHREC are crucial. This conference is part of our efforts to train researchers on ethical standards, with over 80 surgeons, nurses, and anaesthetists participating,” he explained.

Chief Medical Officer of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the hospital, Dr. Rufus Ojewola, noted that the conference’s focus is to make surgeons well-rounded professionals.

“This gathering aims to train surgeons not only in service delivery but also in research and teaching. By equipping them with these skills, they can improve surgical outcomes and train others in their respective centres,” he said.