A board member of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Dr. Aba Sagoe, on Monday called for greater investment in research across Nigerian universities.
Sagoe said universities are in urgent need of funding, particularly for research activities.
She spoke at a conference organised by the National Health Research Ethics Committee and the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, in Abuja.
Universities are very much in need of funding, particularly for research. There is so much to be done, not only in medicine, but also in pharmacy, agriculture, and many other fields,” she said.
Sagoe noted that many Nigerians are interested in research but lack the necessary support and resources to pursue it.
We have to really go into research because there’s so much to be done. Many people here in Nigeria would like to enter into research areas, but they need encouragement and, most importantly, funding to make it possible,” she added.
She expressed optimism that the conference would inspire more people to pursue research and help build a stronger research culture in the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, underlined the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical leadership, and innovation to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems.
Represented by Dr Lolade Adeyemi, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, Salako said continuous innovation and equity are at the heart of the ministry’s agenda.
The theme of this conference resonates deeply with our mission at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. We are dedicated to continuously enhancing quality, promoting equity, and championing sustainable innovation in our health systems,” Salako said.
IHVN’s Chief Operating Officer and Principal Investigator for the conference, Dr Charles Mensah, explained that EXCEL-RITE was built on a vision to foster responsible conduct in research, enhance collaboration, and drive impactful change across disciplines.
Mensah said the conference aimed to promote research integrity and establish best practices and standards to uphold the credibility of research processes.
According to him, it will also encourage adherence to ethical principles to prevent misconduct in scientific endeavours.
He further explained that the conference would strengthen capacity building by equipping researchers, students, and institutional leaders with the knowledge and skills to implement ethical research practices.
Additionally, he said it would facilitate cross-disciplinary learning through training, workshops, and collaborative programmes.
The conference will enhance collaboration and policy development by bridging gaps between academia, government, and industry for effective partnerships.
It will also support the development of policies that align with global standards for research ethics and governance,” he said.
He added that it would empower researchers to address societal and public health challenges through innovative and ethically sound studies, promoting the use of research findings for evidence-based policy formulation and implementation.
