OFFICIALS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (NIMR) YABA VISIT THE RESEARCH MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS.

Officials from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, and delegates from the Namibian Federal Ministry of Health visited the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. They were received in the Provost’s office by the Deputy Provost, Professor Albert O. T. Ebuehi, who stood in for the Provost, Professor David Adewale Oke, and other Principal officers of the College.

According to Professor Ehimario Igumbor of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the visit was at the request of the Namibian Federal Ministry of Health to understudy the College of Medicine Research Management Office as part of their visit to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in order to build some of their research governance infrastructure and specifically the management of Health Research Ethics Committees.

Professor Igumbor stated further that they have had discussions with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC), and the Department of Planning, Research, and Statistics, adding that their visit will also provide opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.

He expressed his gratitude to the Provost and the College management for affording them the opportunity to discuss and rub minds and for their willingness to support a sister African country.

The Deputy Provost, Professor O.A.T. Ebuehi, welcomed the visitors and stated that he was happy to hear their responses and requests, which are all tailored towards responsible research. He informed that the University of Lagos, since its inception over sixty years ago, has been involved in all kinds of research and that the College of Medicine is basically concerned with Health research. He acknowledged the role of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola FAS, whom he said was instrumental to the establishment of the Research Management Office when she served as the Provost of the College of Medicine. He added that the College of Medicine had conducted various training programmes, such as BRAINS and IPC using the proceeds of research grants.

Professor Ebuehi thanked the visitors for choosing the University of Lagos as a base for their study and expressed the willingness to assist to expand the frontiers of knowledge, and future collaborations and partnerships between Nigeria and Namibia.

Present at the meeting were the College Secretary, Dr. Olayinka Obafemi-Moses, FNIM, Director of Finance, Dr. Simeon Akinade, Ag. Medical Librarian, Dr. Blessing Ukachi, Director of Engineering Service, Engr. O. Oloyede, and other members of staff of NIMR and delegates from Namibia.