To strengthen laboratory systems in the country, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the Medical Laboratory Services Division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH &SW) have organized a two-day training and mentorship session for the leadership of State Laboratory Technical Working Groups (SLTWG) in four states.
Trainees were drawn from the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Bayelsa and Nasarawa states and participated in sessions which highlighted the role of SLTWG in strategic responses to public health emergencies. Mentoring sessions also stressed cross sector collaboration in laboratory governance, team building and effective leadership.
IHVN Program Manager Clinical Laboratory Services, Mrs Joy Shimang said that the training was aimed at empowering the leadership teams to coordinate, lead effectively, and drive result-oriented activities of the groups.
Participants said the sessions were beneficial in supporting the growth of the technical working groups. Kano State Deputy Director Medical Laboratory Services, Mr. Hamza S. Fagge who participated in the training said that it has equipped him with the knowledge to address some teething challenges faced after the establishment of SLTWGs in the state.
Another participant, Nasarawa State Director Medical Laboratory Services, Mr. Stephen Ogoh added that , “the meeting was educative and insightful. I know that when I get back, we’ll be able to fine tune those areas that are challenging so that we will have a better State Laboratory Technical Working Group.”
The training was supported by the Resolve to Save Lives Project. The project has successfully established and supported the SLTWG in Bayelsa, FCT, Nasarawa, and Kano state respectively which is significant milestone in strengthening laboratory governance and coordination under the One Health framework.
Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo commissions commodities for the IMPACT malaria project.
In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognize “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”
According to the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Olu Alabi, this recognition covers overall employee performance in dressing, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership and interpersonal skills, punctuality, and adherence to company values and principles, amongst other things.
For April 2025, IHVN Celebrates, Blessing Ademola Ajayi, Temitope Olukomogbon, Olasinbo Balogun, Tolulope Olufemi, Bola Adeniyi, Golda Ezeh, Oguns El Shaddai, Abdullahi Aliyu Arikya, Cornelius Gweba and Paschal Lojah whose performance stood out in their teams.
To promote research integrity and encourage responsible, impactful research, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) have hosted a three-day conference on research integrity in Abuja.
The conference was tagged, “Exploring Xcellence in Collaboration, Ethical Conduct and Leadership for Research Integrity through Empowerment (EXCEL-RITE).
More than 200 researchers, health and policy experts from across the country participated both physically and virtually in the conference sessions.
At the event, IHVN Chief Operating Officer and EXCEL RITE Principal Investigator, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah said that the conference has enlightened participants and encouraged deliberations among researchers, scientists and policy makers about responsible conduct of research in the country. Dr. Mensah stated the Institute’s commitment to support NHREC to address knowledge gaps on research ethics through continuous capacity building.
The Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who was represented at the conference by the Ministry’s Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, said that the program shared transformative ideas and examined the indispensable role of integrity as a bedrock of effective leadership, institutional development and sustainable health programs.
”As we confront the complex health topics of our time, from maternal and child mortality to infectious disease, mental health and emerging threats of non-communicable diseases, we must recognize that our success will be measured, not only by technical interventions but also by the values that guide our actions. Integrity, accountability and service to the public good are non-negotiable.”
The conference attracted policy makers, scientists and eminent research ethics professionals like, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, and the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas. Others include the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye, renowned Virologist and Public Health Expert, Prof. Oyewole Tomori and Professor Clement Adebamowo, who established and chaired NHREC from 2007 to 2017.
Sessions focused on topics like, global perspectives on research integrity, crafting research policies and guidelines, building a culture of research integrity in Nigerian academic and research institutions, fostering transparency in research, emerging technologies for research integrity, amongst others.
NHREC Chairman, Prof. Richard Adegbola expressed appreciation to IHVN for its partnership in the drive to promote research ethics in the country. He noted that, “Nigeria’s research future is bright if we do it together, do it well and do it right.”
The conference ended with a declaration of commitment by all participants to uphold & promote research integrity.
IHVN Managing Director and EXCEL RITE Conference Principal Investigator, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah giving an opening speech at the novel EXCEL-RITE hybrid conference held at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.L-R Chair of the University of Lagos College of Medicine Health Research Ethics Committee, Prof. Kolawole Oyedeji, NHREC Chairman, Prof. Richard Adegbola, EXCEL-RITE Conference Principal Investigator, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah, President West Africa Network of National Academies, Prof. Oyewole Tomori, Chair of the University of Ibadan Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee, Prof. Adejumo Adebayo, and Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Oliver Ezechi at the EXCEL-RITE Conference in Abuja.A cross section of participants at the EXCEL-RITE Conference in Abuja.
