News Investigators/ The National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) has called for enhanced ethical standards across Nigeria’s health research landscape.
Chairman of NHREC, Prof. Richard Adegbola, made the call on Monday at the opening of a three-day national conference in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is, “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity Through Empowerment” (EXCEL-RITE).
The conference, organised by NHREC in partnership with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), aims to promote a culture of ethical and transparent research across academia, government, and industry.
While highlighting the urgent need for stronger ethical practices, Adegbola called for greater collaboration among stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, scientists, and communities, to address persistent gaps in Nigeria’s research ethics framework.
He traced the evolution of research ethics in Nigeria, with reference to the early challenges in the 1980s, when efforts to establish a regulatory body were hindered by limited interest, poor funding, and fragmented research activities.
Adegbola underscored the significance of ethical lapses in clinical trials, citing the controversial 1996 study in Kano as a pivotal event that spurred major reforms.
He acknowledged recent progress, including the enactment of the National Health Act of 2014 and the establishment of the National Health Statistics Committee, both of which provided a strong foundation for ethical oversight and research integrity.
However, he noted that challenges remained, such as a weak regulatory environment, limited awareness, funding constraints, and cultural dilemmas related to balancing community and individual consent.
Adegbola pointed to eProtect, a digital platform launched in December 2024, as a major step forward in streamlining protocol submissions and enhancing transparency in the review process.
He also advocated for the adoption of blockchain technology to improve data transfer and security, positioning Nigeria as a leader in innovative research ethics.
He urged policymakers to prioritise funding for ethics training and mentorship, noting that collaboration, community involvement, and open science practices must be the cornerstones of Nigeria’s research future.
“Integrity, trust, and systemic reforms are essential to building a robust health research environment that can contribute meaningfully to the global research community.
“Nigeria’s research future is bright — but only if we do it together, do it well, and do it right,” Adegbola said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Charles Olalekan Mensah, IHVN’s Chief Operating Officer and Principal Investigator for the conference, stressed the need for sustained commitment to ethical practices in Nigeria’s health research sector.
Mensah noted that with continued reforms, increased funding, and stronger collaboration, Nigeria had the potential to lead Africa in ethical, transparent, and impactful health research.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders — researchers, health workers, and policymakers — all focused on finding innovative solutions to improve the well-being of Nigerians.
NAN
