Fashola Seeks Better Funding to Boost NIMR Research Capacity

Oluwafunbi Bello November 26, 2025 2 min read

LAGOS, Nigeria – Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has called for increased investment in medical research, warning that Nigeria’s premier research institution, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), lacks the funding required to match global standards.

Speaking during the institute’s monthly media chat on Tuesday, Fashola — who serves as Chairman of the NIMR Foundation — said Nigeria risks missing out on major scientific breakthroughs unless it strengthens long-term financing for research.

“Scientific discoveries shape human life… Eyeglasses exist because researchers committed time and resources. Discoveries like penicillin raised global life expectancy,” he said.

He stressed that NIMR, as Nigeria’s apex health research body, must be adequately resourced to fulfil its mandate. He urged the government to allow research funds to roll over annually rather than being automatically mopped up under Nigeria’s fiscal policies.

“The government must provide an account where unused funds are not mopped up,” he said, arguing that rigid budgeting undermines continuity in research.

Fashola also urged the media to intensify public education on medical research funding, insisting that the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility. He called for stronger participation from both private and public sectors.

Earlier, NIMR Director-General, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa said the monthly media engagement aims to improve transparency, collaboration and understanding of the institute’s scientific work.

He noted that the platform allows experts to “explain scientific works in clear language” and deepen engagement with journalists. He reaffirmed NIMR’s commitment to strengthening public health research that meets Nigeria’s needs.