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Nigeria Unveils E-Portal to Streamline Health Research Ethics, Boost Global Competitiveness
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Public Health Information, Surveillance Solutions and Systems (PHIS3) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched a new electronic portal designed to modernize health research ethics in the country.
The platform, unveiled in Lagos by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, aims to streamline the review and approval of health research proposals.
Dr. Alausa described the launch of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) e-portal as a significant step toward efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the country’s health research framework.
He emphasized that the platform not only simplifies the submission process but also ensures the protection of participants’ rights and safety, aligning with global standards.
The e-portal, developed in partnership with PHIS3 and supported by the U.S. CDC, will eliminate delays and redundancies in the submission of research protocols, a process that was previously conducted manually.
Dr. Adeola Adeyeye, Associate Director of Science at the U.S. CDC, praised the swift development of the portal, noting that it will reduce approval timelines and foster stronger research partnerships, both locally and internationally.
The initiative follows the success of Nigeria’s National Strategic Meeting on Health Research Development earlier this year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to research-driven healthcare improvements.
Before the introduction of this digital platform, researchers faced inefficiencies and delays, often needing to transport physical documents across long distances for approval.
Now, proposals can be submitted and reviewed online in real-time, improving accessibility and security for researchers across the country.
Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, supported the initiative, highlighting how it will simplify the research process while safeguarding intellectual property and participant rights.
PHIS3 Project Director Daro Onimode also noted that the portal will be especially beneficial for researchers in remote areas, allowing them to submit their work digitally without the logistical challenges of the past.
In response to audience questions, NHREC member Professor Oliver Ezechi underscored the platform’s enhanced security, which alleviates concerns over intellectual property theft and outdated submission methods. The e-portal, he said, represents a safer and more efficient approach to managing health research protocols in Nigeria.
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Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health
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