The Federal Government has commissioned the Clinical Trial Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s clinical research capacity and improving preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
The facility, established under the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)-funded Lassa fever programme through the ARC-WA and ENABLE Bauchi projects, was developed through collaboration between the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), CEPI, the MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and ATBUTH.
The new centre is expected to support ethical, high-quality clinical trials, strengthen Nigeria’s health research workforce, promote scientific collaboration, and generate evidence to improve responses to future epidemics.
“The commissioning of the ATBUTH Clinical Trial Centre marks a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s clinical research capacity and our preparedness for future epidemics.”
The Federal Government said the investment reflects its commitment to advancing research, innovation and resilient health systems capable of protecting Nigerians from emerging public health threats.
According to the government, the centre will play a key role in expanding the country’s capacity to conduct internationally recognised clinical trials while contributing to the development of vaccines, therapeutics and other interventions against infectious diseases, including Lassa fever.
“This investment reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to research, innovation and resilient health systems that protect the health of Nigerians.”
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s epidemic preparedness through strategic partnerships and evidence-based public health interventions.