Dr. David Oladele, Deputy Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research,NIMR, has called for increased funding and improved research literacy to strengthen clinical trials across Nigeria.
Speaking during the institute’s monthly media chat in Lagos, Oladele who heads NIMR’s Clinical Trials Unit emphasised that research and clinical trials remain the backbone of any nation’s health advancement efforts.
“Clinical trials are essential for assessing the safety and effectiveness of drugs, vaccines, and other health interventions. Yet, low research literacy remains a challenge, even among some health workers and policymakers,” he said.
Oladele stressed that enhancing policymakers’ understanding of research would encourage them to allocate more resources to clinical trials and research initiatives.
Highlighting NIMR’s achievements, he noted that the institute has led several impactful studies over the years.
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“When HIV treatment began in Nigeria in 2002, NIMR tested the response between generic and branded HIV drugs. Our findings proved they were equally effective, leading to the government’s adoption of generics,” he explained.
Oladele also recalled NIMR’s microbicide clinical trial (2004–2007), conducted in collaboration with the University College Hospital Ibadan, which aimed to prevent HIV transmission.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the institute conducted trials to evaluate the effectiveness of chloroquine in treating the virus, proving that large-scale, high-quality research is possible in Nigeria.
He added that NIMR’s adherence to good clinical practices has earned it recognition as a lead centre for multi-country studies and training for researchers.
Oladele further revealed that NIMR now serves on the National Clinical Trials Consortium, which works to strengthen local drug diagnostics, build capacity, and deepen collaboration with regulatory bodies.
