Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is delivering on its mandate as a reference centre in basic, applied and operational research for the promotion of national health and development in Nigeria.  This is evidenced by the series of innovations and new initiatives in translating research into tangible medical products and services recorded in 2019 filling the gaps in diagnostics and laboratory needs in the area of life science and drug development.

As a way of improving human capacity for research, intramural research awards were given to deserving junior and senior research fellows who keenly competed to get the grant. A few NIMR extramural grants were also awarded to five postgraduate students in four collaborating Universities to research into viral haemorrhagic fever especially Lassa fever which has become a perennial outbreak in Nigeria.  The report of this effort will provide further insight into the peculiarity of the outbreak, management and prevention. Two workshops were held to develop the national curriculum for Grantmanship and Mentorship leading to the organization of the first National Grant writing and Mentorship workshop which provided opportunities for young researchers from Universities and research institutes to learn at the feet of local and international researchers who have made their marks in research and development.

We established NIMR Research Foundation as a public-private outfit to support Government research funding specifically in the area of training PhDs and MDs; and supporting grant writing training workshop. NIMR therefore appreciates the Chairman of the Trustee of NIMR Research Foundation, the current Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fasola for his support at all times. In furtherance to fostering academic and research collaborations, the Institute’s management visited and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leeds University Ibadan and Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences for adjunct research positions for NIMR research staff.  This initiative has led to the appointment of five NIMR top researchers as Professors in four (4) Nigerian Universities during the year.

NIMR obtained international accreditations through three Centres in the institute; the Center for Tuberculosis Research (CTBR) obtained international accreditation ISO 15189, making it the first TB laboratory in Nigeria to obtain such status, the Center for Human Virology and Genomics Research (CHVG) expanded the scope of its accreditation (ISO 15189) to include haematology assay and also got the WHO prequalification for invitro diagnostic kit testing. NIMR CHVG Virology laboratory was also designated a mega laboratory for HIV viral load measurement by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).  The management also established three new laboratories, namely central research laboratory and two Tissue Culture Laboratories for Malaria and arbor viruses to further strengthen laboratory capacity for basic research which has led to our current experiment in vaccine development. 

It is significant to note that four research staff of the institute were recognized for various research innovations and development of innovative diagnostic products namely; NIMR Biotech DNA preparation Kit developed by Dr. Muinah Fowora, NimCure Mobile Application by Mr. Femi Amoo, Fast point of Care PCR Assays to diagnose ten common causes of fever in children by Dr. Chika Onwuamah and NIMR Electrophoretic Machines by Dr. Bassey Orok and Mr. John Omohwovo. These products were also sent for external quality assurance testing. 

Research projects undertaken by staff in addressing diseases of public health concern in the country included HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. The outcome of the various research efforts are disseminated through publications in reputable national and international journals. 

In the year, the Institute further strengthened collaborations with several national and international Universities, Research Institutes, Centre of Excellence, reputable laboratories, Hospitals, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations, State and Federal Government Agencies. 

Individual scientist and research groups competed for and received grants from various bodies, organizations and institutions nationally and internationally. Several research and non-research staff received support from the institute for training within and outside the country. In terms of infrastructural development, additional state-of-the-art laboratory equipment were purchased for various laboratories in the Institute. 

A new researcher’s suite was also built to solve accommodation challenges of researchers from within and outside the country visiting the Institute to undertake bench work. Additional 4 vehicles were added to the fleet of project vehicles to improve field research activities. The management in its usual manner held the annual staff retreat to review 2019 activities and plan for the coming year 2020. 

The management hopes to commit more funds to research and increase research output. More collaborations will be fostered to enlarge the pool of collaborators and networks.  The institute hopes to establish a national biorepository for sample storage to assist researchers to keep samples and data for future use.

The management prays to the Federal Ministry of Health for improved  funding to the institute in year 2020 for  research, replacement of dilapidated structures with modern structures, completion of the E-Library building and purchase of more state-of-art laboratory equipment with the hope of moving research and development forward in Nigeria.

In the past year, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research continues to improve on implementing its mandate to conduct research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria.  Several research projects were carried out to address some of the greatest disease burden in the country such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. The outcome of these various research programmes form part of the forty-two scientific articles published in peer review journals during the year under review. 

The Institute extended its academic collaboration with universities by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Leeds University for adjunct research positions for NIMR research staff, this will provide an opportunity for them to be assessed by Lead University for promotion as research Professors. Within the year, NIMR also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Medical Centre Ebute Meta to provide a clinical research environment for NIMR research staff.

The Institute’s intramural research funding was keenly competed for and awarded to several deserving research fellows of various categories.  Pre and post-doctoral grant supports were given to research staff to assist in their PhD studies and post-doctoral training, respectively.  The Institute also awarded research grants to junior and senior research staff working on research priority areas that would provide preliminary data for future external grants. Furthermore, the Institute held a grant writing workshops in Abuja and subsequently in Lagos to produce a curriculum for a biannual grant writing training for young researchers in Nigeria.   In view of the inadequate research funding being experienced by the Institute, the management also established the NIMR Research Foundation to improve private sector participation in funding research in Nigeria. This is currently being registered under the Board of Trustee chaired by His Excellency, the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fasola.  

As part of the management efforts to improve the NIMR research environment for innovative research, the Institute has attracted adjunct researchers of international repute to provide mentorship and advice to upcoming research staff.  In doing this, the Institute hopes to leverage the network and international collaborators of these mentors. The annual International Scientific Conference of the Institute held with the theme: “Achieving Universal Health Coverage: the role of research”.  This was well attended by researchers in Nigeria and diaspora. The Centre for Human Virology and Genomics (CHVG) continued to maintain the ISO 15/89:2012 / and the WHO prequalification standards accreditation for the second year running. The functions of the Institute’s Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory was expanded to take on the role of a “Center for Tuberculosis Research” (CTBR) while it continued to serve as a National Reference laboratory for Tuberculosis.  The Centre for Research in Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CRTCAM) has continued to research and partner with herbal medicine practitioners to determine the toxicity, tolerability and efficacy of some local herbs in circulation. This is to ensure safe of the products being made available to the public.

The Institute research activities attracted grants from agencies and organization such as National Institute of Health (NIH), Alexander Bon Humboldt, German Leprosy and Relief Association (GLRA), Institute of Tropical Medicine, WHO – AFRO/TDR/EDCTP.  Other grants were also received from University of Arizona under the H3Africa Kidney Diseases Research Network, FHI360 and IHVN.  Some funded research projects in the institute include investigation of Chronic Kidney Disease in Hadeija, Jigawa Satate in the northern part of Nigeria. This is to unravel the cause of chronic kidney Disease in Hadeija which was observed recently to be in high proportion among Hadeija community. The Institute was also involved with the National Malaria Elimination Program to conduct the 2018 Drug efficacy testing for malaria in three States of the Federation and has started the entomology surveillance study for the next two years in four States of the Federation.

During the year, the Institute maintained its collaboration with national and international agencies and organization including Harvard School of Public Health. Boston, USA, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, West African Node for Excellence for TB, AIDS and Malaria (WENETAM), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,  University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, University College, London, Federal Ministry of Health, International Institute of Tropical agriculture, Benin Republic Vector Control Reference Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases South Africa, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, University of Ghana, University of Tokyo, World Health Organization, European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), FHI360, IHVN, Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB), an InfoTech  Company, Imperial College London, African Reinsurance Corporation and London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.

The annual staff retreat held to review the Institute’s annual activities and chart a way forward in the preceding year.  As usual, the management held town hall meetings to dialogue and get valuable feedback from staff on ways of improving management approach.  There was massive renovation of the research laboratory complex, research laboratories and staff offices. Notable non-research projects included grading and tiling of in-roads to resolve perennial flooding problems of the institute. As part of the management efforts to attract private sector participation in research, the Institute succeeded in getting MainOne an Internet and Networking Organization to support the research activities of the Institute with 15mbps fibre optic free internet access through CCHub.   The Institute’s physical location and entrance was rebranded to gain visibility and prominence.  The security ambience of the Institute was seriously improved upon in the year under review.

The Institute’s main challenge remains inadequate funding and inadequate staff.  There is a need to review the Act that established the Institute to reposition it for its role and mandate. There is disparity in the name and the name in the Act.  NIMR still need to be rid of dilapidated structures that need to be replaced by modern ones   The E-library construction project remains neglected due to lack of fund. The on-going equipment of laboratories with state-of-art technologies to support research needs to be sustained with adequate funding from. 

Finally, it suffices to say that 2018 was productive for the Institute despite several challenges.  Staff efforts and commitments also helped in providing the outstanding leadership and accomplishments recorded this year.  As we combat for better financial commitment from government, the Management will continue the drive to accelerate excellence in health research for national development and nation building.

Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the foremost research Institute in the country, has the mandate to conduct research into diseases of public health importance in the country. Supporting this task are research staff and non-research staff of the Institute. Following the appointment of the new Director-General, the Institute had a national retreat to reposition NIMR for National Health Research and Development. 2017 was particularly eventful as the retreat led to the preparation of a 5-year Strategic Plan 2017-2021 following the expiration of the previous one in 2016. Directory of staff was produced to enhance ease of communication and seamless location of members of staff. Town hall meetings by the management were held to dialogue and receive feedback from members of staff which produced the needed strategic information used to run the Institute

During the year, the Institute awarded competitive intramural research grants to Research Fellows to conduct research in different areas of the country’s research priorities.  These included areas such as communicable diseases, non- communicable diseases, maternal and reproductive health, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, child and adolescent health. Some completed research projects were also disseminated via presentation to stakeholders’ forum, peer-review journals, conferences and workshops.

The Institute received external grants from agencies and organizations such as National Institute of Health (NIH), Alexander Bon Humboldt, German Leprosy and Relief Association (GLRA), Institute of Tropical Medicine, Germany, Albani State University USA, WHO – AFRO/TDR/EDCTP, Consortium on Diagnosis of TB and Management of Childhood TB funded by EDCTP, and WHO/TDR Grant. The Institute also received funding from University of Arizona under the H3Africa kidney Disease Research Network to investigate Chronic kidney Disease in northern part of Nigeria. Local grant supports also came from FHI360 and IHVN to provide treatment and support data collection for research in HIV and tuberculosis.

Funded research projects included the risk factors and Treatment Outcome in patients with Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Nigeria, scaling up Research and Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer to enhance intervention activities of the National Control program, Characterizing virus dynamics and population immunity to the polioviruses in the difficult-to-reach areas in Nigeria, Setting up a Virology Unit for tissue culture in NIMR and  Situation analysis, need assessment and intervention programme to develop grant management  unit in Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.         

The Centre for Human Virology and Genomics (CHVG) was re-energized in 2017 and received International Organization, ISN 15/89:2012 standards accreditation during the first quarter of the year.  The Centre was the first public laboratory in Nigeria to receive such recognition.  In the same vein, the laboratory, following evaluation by the WHO, became listed as a WHO prequalification evaluating laboratory by mid-2017 making Nigeria one of 8 countries in the world to be so listed. Architect i1000 immunoassay auto analyzer equipment (Abbot) for Immunoassay, hepatitis B and HIV antibody/antigen was acquired for CDL to aid research activities.

The establishment of the Centre for Research in Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CRTCAM) in the Institute during the year provided a platform for collaboration between NIMR researchers and the Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine and PAX HERBERS a step to determine the toxicity, tolerability and efficacy of common herbs produced by these two organizations. The center has since carried out research into 5 herbal preparations namely Divine Herbal Eye Medicine, Kampe Bitters by Bond Chemical Industries, A.Y Olorunnisola Tradomedical Centre (Eye Medicine & Rheumatism Medicine), Dr Somco Muti-purpose Medicated Cream (Skin Cream Medicine).

The Institute also expanded the function of the previous Tuberculosis Laboratory, which is a reference laboratory to include research and training. The reorganization of the laboratory necessitated a new name “Center for Tuberculosis Research (CTBR). The Center’s laboratory is currently being prepared for ISO Accreditation.

The Institute collaborated with agencies, national and international organizations. Among them are: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health. Boston, USA, West African Node of Excellence for TB, AIDS and Malaria (WANETAM), Burroughs – Welcome Fund Collaborative Research Travel Award 2017,University College Hospital Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Lagos, University College London, Centre for Preleomics and Genomics Research (CPGR) South Africa, Federal Ministry of Health, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Benin Republic, Vector Control Reference Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases South Africa, National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) Nigeria, University of Ghana, World Health Organization and University of Tokyo, Japan. Collaboration was also established with CCHUB Information Technology Company to support improvement of Biomedical Research using IT. During the year, the Institute signed MOUs with institutions such as Federal Medical Centre, Lagos, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan and Redeemers University, Ede, Nigeria.

Notable international visitors to the Institute were from CDC,  London School of  Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,  Imperial College, London and African Reinsurance Corporation (South Africa).

The Institute hosted several training programs during the year, this included Ethics of Animal Research Workshop which is just becoming popular in the country and has the potential of improving the outcome of basic medical research. Others included Malaria Microscopy Training for the Scientist in Private And Public Institutions, the Molecular Biology training, etc. The Institute also hosted the 4th International Conference; Theme: “Funding Health Research in a Depressed Economy” during the year which was well attended all over the country including US CDC, WHO, FHI 360, IHNV, Sysmex and other development partners and others from abroad. The keynote speaker was Professor Simon Taylor-Robinsin of the Imperial College London. Staff members were sponsored to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences.

NIMR now wears a new aesthetically pleasing the look from the gate; main gate has been branded. The central laboratory, the Institute Auditorium and Main laboratory complex building were renovated. Many housing units have been renovated to improve workspace environment and job satisfaction. The elevator in the administration building was also repaired.

Our satellite stations; Maiduguri and Kainji remain dilapidated and require significant renovation while the main library building project is yet to be completed. Research funding remains poor although improved a little during the year. There is a great need for extra moral funding from universities and their relevant agencies. Although 2017 promotion was not free. About 11 Staff retired/withdrew their service during the year leaving the institute with inadequate workforce. There is an urgent need for replacement of the staff to keep the institute going.

Over all, the institute fare better in term of research activities, laboratory development, Human resource, training and internalization, networking and collaboration. There is a need for improved intramoral and extra moral release of fund to the institute.