Lagos: Capacity building for researchers specialising in health-related issues has been identified as a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s many health challenges. These challenges include endemic infectious diseases such as malaria, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera, and meningitis, as well as rising rates of maternal and child mortality and non-communicable diseases like kidney and cancer-related ailments. Despite various international interventions, these issues persist, renewing the call for Nigeria to develop its own homegrown solutions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, to bridge this gap, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) established the NIMR Foundation in 2021. The foundation’s mission is to build research capacity among early-career investigators, foster innovation, and promote the development of local medicines, vaccines, and technologies. Its pilot programme, the Grantsmanship and Mentorship Training Programmes (GMTP) has been a ‘game-changer’ for researchers since it began in 2022, providing them with the skills needed to tackle the nation’s unique health problems.
Dr Ijeoma Ifeorah, a Virologist at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), shared that her career experienced a 360-degree turnaround after participating in the 2023 edition of the GMTP programme. The programme has shaped her skills in grant writing, systematic reviews and analysis, expanded her research network, and also helped her to win four major grants. These included the American Association for Cancer Research and Beginner Investigation Grant for Catalytic Research, the African Research Excellence Fund Development and Fellowship Team, an institutional seed award from Northwestern University, U.S., and a cooperative skills award from the World Academy of Science (TWAS) in collaboration with the government of Germany.
Dr Victor Ayeni, a Neonatologist, who participated in the 2024 edition of NIMR Foundation GMTP, said the quest to carry out top-notch research that would have a positive impact propelled him to apply for the programme. Ayeni, who works at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ogun State, said the knowledge he acquired at the GMTP helped him secure a grant four months after participating in the programme. The grant, funded by Grand Challenges Nigeria, was the 2025/2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Seed Grant Funding, awarded to conduct research aimed at reducing disabilities associated with birth asphyxia.
Dr Chioma Tolulope, a Research Fellow at NIMR and participant in the just concluded 2025 edition of the GMTP, described the programme as an eye-opener. Testimonies from previous participants on how the programme impacted their research skills motivated her to apply. The programme enhanced her skills, particularly in systematic reviews and manuscript writing.
As the foundation continues to engage researchers in capacity building, the government must also ensure sustained investment to strengthen the nation’s capacity for homegrown solutions to address the health challenges of Nigerians.
