YOBE, Nigeria – The Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu, has begun a landmark Dementia Research Project, collecting 1,100 biopsies and blood samples.
The university’s Information Officer, Mr. Abdulmunini Gulani, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dementia is a group of diseases that impair memory, thinking, and daily functioning, mostly affecting older people. It is the seventh leading cause of death globally and a major driver of disability and dependency.
Gulani said the project was the first large-scale dementia cohort study of its kind in Northern Nigeria, designed to support Africa’s first open-access Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) biobank.
He explained that the study is led by Prof. Mahmoud Maina, Founder and Director of BioRTC and Special Adviser to Gov. Mai Mala Buni on Science, Research, and Innovation.
“The milestone is not just about dementia — it’s about placing Yobe on the global map of biomedical research,” Gulani quoted Maina as saying.
“By combining community engagement, world-class scientists, and partnerships across Nigeria, the UK, U.S., The Netherlands, and other African countries, we are building the foundation for discoveries that will benefit our people and contribute to global health.”
He said samples would also be screened for diabetes, malaria, and kidney diseases, stressing that findings would address multiple health burdens in the region.
Gulani commended Yobe health officials, traditional leaders, and communities for their trust and participation in the project.
