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The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for increased domestic funding for health research, warning that Nigeria’s continued dependence on international support could weaken the country’s ability to tackle emerging and persistent public health threats.
The institute also urged researchers and policymakers to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly, arguing that the technology could strengthen scientific research, improve public-health responses and help Nigeria make better use of its growing volumes of health data.
The call was made by Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the IHVN International Research Centre of Excellence, ahead of the institute’s fourth annual Scientific Symposium scheduled for August 31 to September 1, 2026.
Nigeria Must Reduce Dependence on External Funding
Abimiku said declining international funding for health programmes makes it increasingly important for Nigeria to develop a stronger domestic financing system for research.
She warned that prolonged funding shortages could undermine the country’s scientific capacity and make it harder to sustain research programmes addressing local health challenges.
According to her, government needs to establish mechanisms that allow Nigerian researchers to access domestic funding on a sustainable basis.
She pointed to South Africa as an example, noting that the country’s government-backed medical research system responded to reductions in external funding by making domestic resources available through competitive grants.
The issue has become more urgent following reductions in international support for public-health programmes, including funding from major global health initiatives.
AI Takes Centre Stage in Health Research
The symposium will also examine the growing role of AI and machine learning in scientific research and healthcare.
Organised under the theme, “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research through Sustainable Funding, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Innovation,” the event will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and community stakeholders.
Participants are expected to examine how AI can accelerate data analysis, improve research productivity and help governments extract greater value from the large amounts of health information available to them.
The institute, however, stressed that the technology should complement rather than replace human expertise.
Researchers will be encouraged to use AI as a tool while maintaining critical thinking, experimentation and scientific discovery at the centre of the research process.
Responsible AI Adoption Critical
While highlighting the potential benefits of AI, Abimiku also pointed to ethical concerns surrounding its use.
Among the issues expected to receive attention are the protection of personal information and the risk that excessive dependence on automated systems could undermine creativity and innovation in scientific work.
The symposium will therefore consider how advances in AI and machine learning can be translated into practical solutions for everyday public-health services and research.
Outbreak Preparedness Remains a Priority
Beyond technology and funding, the discussions will focus on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases and other public-health challenges.
Areas expected to receive attention include disease outbreaks, vaccine development, clinical trials, local manufacturing and data science.
Abimiku particularly highlighted the need for stronger preparedness against diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever and cholera, stressing that a decline in international funding does not mean the threats posed by these diseases have disappeared.
She noted that tackling Lassa fever, for example, requires more than medical intervention, with public education, behavioural change and scientific innovation also playing important roles.
Building a More Self-Reliant Health System
The IHVN’s position reflects a broader debate over how Nigeria can maintain progress in health research as international development funding becomes less predictable.
For the institute, greater government investment, stronger partnerships with the private sector and responsible deployment of emerging technologies will be necessary to build a more sustainable research ecosystem.
The upcoming symposium is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine how Nigeria can combine domestic financing, scientific innovation and AI to strengthen its health system.
For Nigeria, the central challenge is increasingly clear: developing the capacity to finance and conduct research locally while ensuring that emerging technologies are deployed responsibly to address the country’s most pressing public-health needs.
