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It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning to participate in this 2026 face-to-face meeting and training workshop organised by the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC).
As we probably know, research ethics in Nigeria, like in many other African countries, was not receiving its deserved attention until the establishment of the National Health Research Ethics Committee in 2005 and its formal enablement nine years later by the National Health Act of 2014.
The National Health Act empowers NHREC to oversee ethical approval, provide guidelines for ethical conduct in research—especially when human subjects are involved—and monitor health research in order to protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of participants.
Since the inauguration of the new NHREC under the chairmanship of Professor Richard Adegbola, I am happy to observe that the committee has been working very hard to raise the bar for ethical health research by overseeing and ensuring timely approval of health research proposals in our country. Incidentally, this new NHREC was inaugurated on January 23, 2024, and today’s event is a befitting part of the second anniversary of the new committee.
I must commend the committee that, so early in the year, you have convened to develop a work plan for the new year and chart a way forward to make more impact in the Nigerian research landscape.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, let me use this opportunity to appreciate the Chairman and all members of NHREC for the commitment you have brought to bear in delivering on this assignment. Your expertise and dedication in the last two years, no doubt, have brought progress, order, and credibility to the ecosystem of health research in the country. Congratulations, and thank you all for your service to Nigeria.
Let me also recognise and appreciate our partners, especially the Gates Foundation, US-CDC, WHO/African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF), the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) Centre, and the GARNET partners, for their support in strengthening NHREC functions and ensuring that Nigeria creates a health research ecosystem that meets international standards.
The ongoing Trial Regulation and Clinical Ethics Optimization (TRACE) project, designed to improve the integrity, safety, and rigour of clinical trials in Nigeria and other participating countries, is a welcome development that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will ensure we build upon to create a sustainable ethical environment for health research in Nigeria.
We recognise the compelling need for domestic ownership of our research agenda and the responsibility of government to create a conducive and ethical environment. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will therefore continue to place priority attention on, and provide all necessary support to, NHREC to deliver on its mandate.
Let me also commend NHREC for the digital enablement of the ethics review process through the revamping of the NHREC website and the creation of an e-portal. This is a major milestone that will enhance data gathering, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, stakeholder engagement, and ensure better tracking of performance management.
I call on our researchers, institutions, sub-national health research committees, and our international partners to take full advantage of the e-portal in order to improve the integrity of health research, safeguard the rights, and guarantee the welfare of research participants in our country.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to encouraging and funding local research for new drug development, vaccines, and disease epidemiology. Government is aware that this commitment can only deliver optimal benefits to Nigerians and contribute to the global agenda of good health and wellbeing for all in an environment of ethical research conduct that protects participants, ensures data integrity, builds public trust, and upholds the credibility of science.
I call on NHREC members to redouble their efforts and accelerate the movement towards a fully ethically compliant health research environment in Nigeria so that we contribute our quota to the achievement of the health vision of Mr. President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
At this point, it is my great honour and privilege to declare open the 2026 NHREC Face-to-Face Meeting and Training Workshop, to the glory of Almighty God and for the optimal benefit of Nigerians.
And so, with peace and plenty, Nigeria shall be blessed.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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