The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called attention to critical issues affecting research excellence in Nigeria.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a three-day national conference themed “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity Through Empowerment” (EXCEL-RITE).
The conference, organised in collaboration with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), seeks to promote a culture of ethical and transparent research across academia, government, and industry.
The correspondent reports that Prof. Adeyeye stressed that the future of Nigeria’s scientific advancement relies on a collaborative research culture rooted in integrity, strategic planning, and effective communication.
She outlined several challenges facing Nigeria’s research ecosystem, including limited resources, fragmented funding, and a silo mentality that hinders interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnerships.
“Research must be passion-driven and strategically planned, with clear goals, methodologies, and timelines,” she stated.
Adeyeye also underlined the importance of robust literature reviews, sound analytical methods, and the need for researchers to possess a deep understanding of intellectual property rights, patents, and the role of legal protections in safeguarding innovations.
She emphasized that research must translate into practical benefits for industry, healthcare, and trade, noting that “from bench to bedside, farm to fork, or clinic,” applying research outcomes can significantly enhance lives and drive national development.
Adequate funding was also identified as critical, with Adeyeye calling for clear financial agreements between collaborators and institutions to ensure that research goals are achieved.
The first day of the conference concluded with a strong appeal to researchers, institutions, and policymakers to move beyond isolated approaches and adopt collaborative frameworks that foster integrity, innovation, and measurable impact on Nigeria’s scientific and public health sectors. (NAN)