Lagos: Dr Olajide Sobande, the Executive Director of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Foundation, emphasized the importance of developing homegrown solutions to tackle the nation’s health challenges through dedicated research efforts. He shared these insights with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the 2025 Grantmanship and Mentorship Training Programme (GMTP) Cohort 5, organized by the NIMR Foundation for researchers in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sobande highlighted that addressing health issues unique to Nigeria, such as persistent communicable diseases and the surge in non-communicable diseases, is crucial. These health concerns significantly contribute to the high morbidity and mortality rates in the country. He also noted the recent trends of healthcare professionals emigrating for better opportunities and the reduction of global health funding by the U.S.
Sobande urged the country to invest in its healthcare research to enhance the health system and achieve better health outcomes for Nigerians. He emphasized that internal funding and research are vital for developing sustainable solutions tailored to the country’s needs.
Regarding the GMTP, Sobande mentioned that the NIMR Foundation sponsors this initiative to enhance the capabilities of early career researchers nationwide. This year, 29 researchers are participating, contributing to the total of 120 researchers who have benefited from the program since its inception in 2022.
The program aims to cultivate the next generation of researchers to conduct impactful research that can shape healthcare policies and practices in Nigeria. Continuous refinement of the training, based on participant feedback and insights from similar programs, ensures its effectiveness. The overarching goal is to improve health outcomes by fostering the development of homegrown technologies, vaccines, and medicines suited to Nigeria’s health needs.
NAN reports that the NIMR Foundation, a private non-profit organization established by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in 2018, was officially registered in February 2020. The foundation is committed to building research capacity among early career investigators and advancing the innovation, development, and commercialization of homegrown medical solutions to address national health challenges.
