Nigeria needs biomedical research centres, sustainable funding – Prof Otuechere

A call has been made for Nigeria to establish well-equipped biomedical research centers, secure sustainable government funding, and enhance collaboration among scientists to advance effective, affordable healthcare solutions.

Professor Chiagoziem Otuechere, a specialist in Phytomedicine and Biochemical Toxicology at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, presented these recommendations during the institution’s 25th inaugural lecture on Tuesday.

He proposed the establishment of two Centers of Excellence in Biomedical Research in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, aimed at bolstering scientific research and innovation throughout the country. “The proposed centers should be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring year-round access for scientists across various biomedical disciplines,” he stated.

Professor Otuechere also called for a presidential mandate to empower biomedical researchers with proven expertise, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding and accountability measures. He highlighted the importance of developing healthcare solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge, particularly Nigeria’s rich ethnopharmacological heritage, to produce treatments that resonate culturally and are economically viable.

Moreover, he encouraged the promotion of transdisciplinary research, advocating for collaboration among toxicologists, chemists, physicians, microbiologists, and other scientists. He explained that such cooperation would hasten the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical applications, ultimately addressing patient needs and enhancing healthcare outcomes.

“The future of healthcare lies not within a single discipline, but at the intersection of disciplines,” Otuechere noted. He elaborated on the potential of a multidisciplinary approach: “Nature provides therapeutic molecules, nanotechnology improves their delivery, computational science helps predict their behavior, while toxicology assesses their safety.” He argued that this combined strategy could lead to safer and more affordable treatments.

Otuechere also underscored the ethical responsibilities of scientists, stating that research should clarify not only what heals but also how treatments operate, who benefits, and the potential risks involved. He expressed optimism that future toxicologists would build on prevailing scientific foundations through excellence and responsible research, reinforcing the role of nature, nanomedicine, and quantitative analysis in enhancing healthcare contributions.

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