Nigeria Urged to Boost AI, Health Research Amid Funding Cuts

Nigeria's public health system requires a strategic shift towards embracing Artificial Intelligence and bolstering domestic investment in health research, particularly as international donor funding declines. This call comes from Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).

Abimiku highlighted that recent reductions in global health funding underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen its local financing for research. This would build sustainable capacity and reduce the nation's vulnerability to fluctuations in external support. Many Nigerian researchers currently depend heavily on international grants, and shrinking budgets could impair the country's ability to compete for funds and generate locally relevant evidence.

"We are asking government to begin investing in research. It may not be as much as international funding, but it can keep researchers productive, build capacity and sustain innovation," Abimiku stated. She emphasized that disease outbreaks, including HIV, cancer, sickle cell disease, Lassa fever, and potential future pandemics, will persist, necessitating preparedness.

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We are asking government to begin investing in research. It may not be as much as international funding, but it can keep researchers productive, build capacity and sustain innovation.

Artificial Intelligence presents a significant opportunity to improve research productivity, accelerate data analysis, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making when deployed responsibly. However, Abimiku cautioned against over-reliance on AI, stressing that innovation, critical thinking, and scientific curiosity must remain central. "AI can summarise years of research within seconds, but researchers must continue to ask critical questions, experiment and innovate. We must use AI to enhance, not replace, scientific thinking," she advised.

The upcoming fourth IRCE Annual Scientific Symposium, themed “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research through Sustainable Funding, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Innovation,” will delve into these issues. The event aims to explore how AI and machine learning can complement reduced funding by improving efficiency while safeguarding data privacy and ethical standards. A pre-symposium hackathon will also expose participants to practical AI tools for solving public health challenges, bridging the gap between experienced researchers and younger professionals.

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AI can summarise years of research within seconds, but researchers must continue to ask critical questions, experiment and innovate. We must use AI to enhance, not replace, scientific thinking.