The desk officer for research integrity at the Ambrose Alli University, Dr. Chidozie Ike has called on Nigerian policymakers to move beyond superficial solutions and instead target the root causes of the nation’s persistent challenges through ethical, data-driven policy reforms.
Delivering a presentation titled “Crafting Effective Research Policies and Guidelines” at the national EXCEL-RITE conference held in Abuja, Ike, who is also a practicing physician, underscored the need for research policies that are both inclusive and grounded in integrity. He emphasised that Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with ineffective policies stems from a tendency to focus on immediate symptoms rather than addressing underlying systemic problems.
The three-day conference, themed “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity Through Empowerment,” was convened by the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) in partnership with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). It aimed to promote ethical and transparent research across academia, government and the private sector.
Ike challenged stakeholders across sectors to improve the quality of data used in policy-making, maintain ethical standards in research, and meaningfully involve communities in policy design. This, he said, would help rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
According to him, the failure of many national policies lies in their reactive nature. “Policies should target the underlying issues, not merely respond to their effects,” he argued. “Take rice importation as an example. The solution is not just to ban imports but to improve the quality and quantity of local rice production so it meets both domestic and international standards.”
He introduced “problem tree analysis” as a practical tool to guide policymakers in identifying and addressing root causes rather than surface-level manifestations of national issues. Using the example of Lassa fever outbreaks, he explained that efforts should move beyond containment and focus on improving environmental and infrastructural conditions that enable the spread of the disease.
Ike also warned that flawed or externally manipulated data often leads to misguided policies. “When data is influenced by funders, politics, or nepotism, it undermines the credibility of our policies,” he said. “Our policies fail when the data behind them is unreliable or compromised.”
Highlighting the importance of inclusion, Ike stated that policy teams should not be composed of technical experts alone. “The best policies come from a coalition of voices – local communities, researchers, stakeholders, and even political actors. Policies created in isolation miss the real needs of the people.”
He also noted the imbalance of power in policy development, pointing out that researchers and community members often lack the influence to shape decisions. To address this, he recommended the formation of coalitions that advocate for equitable, evidence-based policies and elevate the voices of marginalised groups.
On research guidelines, Ike cautioned against rushed, one-size-fits-all approaches. “Guidelines must be based on thorough research, be communicated, and adaptable – especially during emergencies like pandemics. The methodology is just as critical as the content,” he said.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex health, environmental, and socio-economic challenges, Ike’s call for policies that are ethically grounded, research-informed and focused on root causes could not be timelier.
“Without long-term, research-driven solutions, we will remain stuck addressing symptoms rather than solving the real problems,” he warned.
The EXCEL-RITE conference concluded with a resounding call for policymakers, researchers, and institutions to move away from fragmented strategies and adopt collaborative frameworks that prioritise integrity, inclusion and impact.
