By Nike Lawal
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) electronic platform. The e-portal, unveiled by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Friday in Lagos, aims to streamline the ethical review and approval process for health research proposals across the country.
Dr. Alausa hailed the launch as a “remarkable milestone,” signifying a new era of efficiency, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s health research landscape. He emphasized that the platform is designed to uphold global standards while protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of research participants. “The NHREC electronic platform is more than just a technological tool—it represents a commitment to integrity and accountability in health research,” Alausa noted. He further acknowledged the support of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in developing the platform, emphasizing its role in transforming the research approval process.
The newly launched e-portal is expected to centralize and simplify the submission of research proposals, drastically reducing delays and redundancies in the process. Dr. Alausa expressed optimism that the platform would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global health research space, fostering innovation and improved clinical practices through data-driven research. “This is a significant step forward in positioning Nigeria as a hub for groundbreaking health research,” he added.
Dr. Adeola Adeyeye, Associate Director of Science at the U.S. CDC, praised the platform’s swift development, completed in just six weeks due to the collaboration between the Nigerian government and international partners. She highlighted that the platform would shorten approval times, fostering local and international research collaborations that could benefit Nigeria’s healthcare sector. “This platform will open doors for greater research partnerships, both within Nigeria and internationally, furthering advancements in healthcare and innovation,” she said.
The launch of the NHREC e-portal follows the success of the National Strategic Meeting on Health Research Development and Innovation, reaffirming the government’s dedication to research-driven healthcare advancements. This platform is expected to significantly bolster Nigeria’s capacity to generate and utilize research data, driving health sector innovation and improving healthcare delivery.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, also lauded the platform, describing it as a game-changer for research governance in the country. “It’s like the ease of doing business for medical research,” he remarked. He pointed out that the e-portal would not only simplify the ethical approval process but also protect participants’ rights and intellectual property. Prof. Abayomi stressed that the system would expedite research, ensuring that Nigeria’s health sector benefits from cutting-edge innovations.
Daro Onimode, Project Director of Public Health Information Surveillance Solutions and System (PHIS3), and a key figure in the platform’s development, explained that the e-platform is designed to make the application and protocol review process more accessible and efficient for researchers nationwide. “Nigeria has a vast network of researchers, both domestically and internationally, and the need for a digital solution to streamline the approval process has become increasingly critical,” Onimode said.
He highlighted the significant challenges that researchers previously faced, particularly those in remote regions like Maiduguri, where lengthy transportation of paper-based documents to committee members in Lagos often delayed approvals. “Now, with the e-platform, it’s easy to submit and track applications in real-time, promoting research and ultimately improving health outcomes,” he added.
Professor Oliver Ezechi, a member of the NHREC, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the security and efficiency benefits of the new system. “Previously, our submission process was entirely manual, raising concerns over security and intellectual property when researchers sent protocols via email. The new platform not only expedites the process but also ensures submission security, giving researchers peace of mind,” Ezechi said.
