The Federal Government has emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, health professionals and policymakers to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector, stressing that continuous innovation and equity remain central to the ministry’s agenda.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako made the remarks on Monday at a three-day national conference in Abuja themed “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity Through Empowerment” (EXCEL-RITE).
Science Nigeria reports that the conference was organised in partnership with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).
EXCEL-RITE aims to promote a culture of ethical and transparent research across academia, government and industry, building a foundation for research practices that can meaningfully improve public health outcomes.
Salako, who was represented by the special adviser on research and innovation to the ministry, Dr. Lolade Adeyemi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare quality while promoting sustainable, equitable solutions.
“The theme of this conference resonates deeply with our mission at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” he said. “We are committed to continuously enhancing quality, promoting equity and championing sustainable innovation in our health systems.”
He commended the organisers for bringing together some of the top leaders in health research and development, noting that such initiatives are vital for creating strategies to tackle the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector.
The minister urged participants to actively engage, share insights and forge partnerships that could lead to tangible improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery systems. He also stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in research and policy formulation, adding that collective expertise and shared objectives are critical to achieving the nation’s health security goals.
Speaking on behalf of the IHVN Board, Dr. Aba Sagoe highlighted the urgent need for increased research funding in Nigeria. She pointed out that universities and research institutions were eager to advance scientific inquiry across multiple fields but were often hampered by a lack of institutional support and adequate funding.
“Universities are very much in need of funding, particularly for research,” she said. “There is so much to be done, not only in medicine but also in pharmacy, agriculture and other critical fields.”
Sagoe stressed that many Nigerians have the interest and potential to conduct meaningful research but require both encouragement and tangible support to do so.
“We have to go into research because there’s so much waiting to be discovered,” she said. “Many people here in Nigeria are willing to venture into research areas, but without funding and institutional support, it remains a major challenge.”
She expressed optimism that platforms like EXCEL-RITE could inspire more people to embrace research and innovation, adding, “I’m very happy to be here. I am learning, and I hope to take this knowledge back and encourage others to pursue research in Nigeria.”
IHVN’s chief operating officer and principal investigator for the conference, Dr. Charles Mensah outlined the vision behind EXCEL-RITE. He explained that the event was designed to foster responsible conduct in research, enhance collaboration across sectors and drive impactful change in the country’s health research ecosystem.
Mensah said the conference aimed to promote research integrity, establish best practices and standards that uphold the credibility of scientific processes and encourage strict adherence to ethical principles to prevent misconduct.
He added that the event would build capacity by equipping researchers, students, and institutional leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct ethical, high-quality research. Through specialised training sessions, workshops and collaborative programmes, the conference would facilitate cross-disciplinary learning and strengthen research governance.
“The conference will bridge gaps between academia, government, and industry to foster effective partnerships,” he said. “It will also support the development of policies that align with global standards for research ethics and governance.”
Mensah further emphasised that the goal was to empower researchers to address public health and societal challenges through innovative and ethically sound studies. He said the conference would promote the translation of research findings into evidence-based policies and strengthen institutional frameworks to ensure long-term adherence to professional standards.
The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, health workers and policymakers, all united in a shared mission to find innovative, sustainable solutions for improving the well-being of Nigerians.
