Nigeria has seen advances in medical research, technology, and healthcare innovation, yet many communities still struggle to access essential health services.

From infectious disease outbreaks and maternal deaths to inadequate financing and shortages of health workers, the country’s healthcare challenges extend beyond the availability of new technologies.

These challenges dominated discussions at the 2026 Future of Health Conference, organised by Nigeria Health Watch, where experts examined how promising innovations could be translated into practical improvements in healthcare delivery.

The 11th edition of the annual conference brought together policymakers, researchers, health professionals, innovators, development partners and private-sector representatives to discuss ways to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

The discussions focused on moving beyond pilot projects and isolated successes to interventions that can reach more people, improve health outcomes and remain effective over time.

Across presentations, panel discussions and partner sessions, five key lessons emerged.

1. Innovation must deliver measurable results

One of the conference’s central messages was that developing a new technology or healthcare intervention does not automatically translate into better health outcomes.

Experts emphasised that an innovation’s success should be measured by its ability to solve real problems, improve access to care, and produce lasting results.

This means looking beyond introducing new technologies to whether they are affordable, accessible and sustainable.

For example, a medical device may improve diagnosis in a health facility. Still, its impact will remain limited if no trained workers can operate it or systems ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of addressing financing, infrastructure and workforce challenges that often prevent promising innovations from reaching communities.

The lesson was that innovation should be judged not only by what has been developed, but by the difference it makes in people’s lives.

2. Reliable data can change health decisions

Another major lesson was the importance of accurate data in understanding health challenges, measuring progress and guiding government decisions.

A presentation on Nigeria’s HIV response illustrated how inaccurate estimates can affect the interpretation of health programme performance.

According to the presentation, a national survey revised the estimated number of people living with HIV in Nigeria from 3.2 million to 1.8 million.

The revision substantially changed the reported treatment coverage figure, demonstrating how improved data can alter assessments of progress without an equivalent immediate increase in the number of people receiving treatment.

The example showed why reliable population estimates are important when evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions.

Research on malaria drug resistance provided another illustration.

Researchers are using molecular analysis of malaria parasites to identify patterns of drug resistance across different locations, generating evidence that could help inform treatment policies and public health responses.

However, experts stressed that collecting data and conducting research were not enough.

The findings must also be communicated clearly to policymakers and incorporated into health programmes to influence decisions and improve outcomes.

3. Communities must be involved in health solutions

Discussions on Lassa fever research highlighted the importance of involving communities in disease surveillance, research and healthcare delivery.

Researchers involved in the ENABLE study explained how community engagement helped identify infections that might otherwise have gone undetected.

In some cases, symptoms such as tiredness were not initially considered serious enough to raise concerns about possible infection.

The experience demonstrated how working closely with communities can improve understanding of diseases and help researchers identify cases that may be missed through routine surveillance.

The research also examined how Lassa fever affects different population groups, including children, and the need to better understand the long-term health effects survivors experience.

Beyond infectious diseases, the discussions showed that community participation can help health workers identify barriers to care, understand local concerns and develop more appropriate interventions.

The broader lesson was that communities should not simply receive healthcare interventions. They should also help shape how those interventions are designed and delivered.

4. Primary healthcare requires trained workers, not just equipment

Maternal healthcare discussions drew attention to the challenges pregnant women face in accessing essential services, particularly in underserved communities.

A presentation on a Project HOPE-supported initiative in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory described efforts to improve maternal healthcare across 10 primary healthcare facilities.

The initiative combines health worker training, point-of-care testing equipment and ultrasound services to strengthen antenatal care.

Under the arrangement, five facilities serve as hubs equipped with point-of-care ultrasound machines, while the remaining facilities refer pregnant women to the hubs when scans are needed.

The intervention aims to improve access to ultrasound examinations during pregnancy and support the early identification of complications requiring further medical attention.

However, the presentation also highlighted that providing equipment is only one part of improving healthcare.

Health workers need appropriate training, mentorship, and ongoing supervision to use diagnostic tools effectively and interpret findings.

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Facilities also need functional referral systems to ensure that patients requiring additional care can access it.

The lesson was that strengthening primary healthcare requires coordinated investment in equipment, skilled personnel and service delivery systems.

Without these supporting structures, even useful technologies may fail to deliver their intended benefits.

5. Epidemic preparedness must begin before an outbreak

The final major lesson centred on preparing for disease outbreaks before they occur.

Experts highlighted the importance of sustained investment in vaccine research, diagnostic tools, manufacturing capacity and partnerships among governments, researchers and the private sector.

Discussions on the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ (CEPI) 100 Days Mission illustrated the importance of early preparation.

The initiative aims to develop safe and effective vaccines against a new pandemic threat within 100 days of identifying the threat, with a focus on achieving initial authorisation and readiness for manufacturing at scale.

The target does not mean that entire populations would be vaccinated within 100 days.

Rather, it requires scientific research, vaccine platforms, regulatory processes and manufacturing arrangements to be sufficiently developed before a new outbreak emerges.

Experts also identified sustained financing as a major challenge, particularly because the benefits of preparedness are often less visible when there is no active public health emergency.

The discussions emphasised the need for long-term partnerships among governments, philanthropic organisations, researchers and industry to support equitable access to vaccines and other essential health technologies.

The lesson was that effective outbreak response depends largely on the investments, systems and partnerships established before a public health emergency begins.

The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) says it has recorded progress in research, staff welfare, infrastructure and public health interventions under the leadership of its Acting Director-General, Philip Builders.

The institute highlighted the reforms in a statement issued on Friday, citing improvements in staff welfare, restoration of basic infrastructure, efforts to strengthen research funding and intellectual property management, and its recent response to the Ebola outbreak.

“His administration is committed to strengthening the Institute’s capacity to fulfil its mandate and contribute to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical development, scientific innovation, and improved healthcare outcomes,” it noted.

One of the administration’s interventions has been the constitution of an Ebola Response Team, headed by Peters Oladisu, Director of the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology.

NIPRD said it also supplied 17 cartons of hand sanitiser gel and 2,000 educational posters on Ebola symptoms and preventive measures to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The institute said the intervention is part of its contribution to public awareness and prevention of emerging health threats.

Staff welfare

NIPRD also cited improvements in staff welfare as part of the changes under Mr Builders.

The institute said it conducted its 2025 staff promotion exercise and addressed outstanding staff claims.

It also said salary arrears owed to security personnel, cleaners and gardeners had been settled.

Beyond staff-related measures, the institute said it restored electricity and water supply, which it described as critical to creating a more conducive environment for research and other activities.

Research and innovation

NIPRD said it was also strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem by restructuring its Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office and Grant Office.

It has established an Office for Strategic Partnerships and Commercialisation, headed by Adeola Jegede, a scientist with experience in policy, monitoring and evaluation.

The office is expected to facilitate partnerships, attract research opportunities and support the commercialisation of products developed from research carried out by the institute.

An example of the institute’s research efforts is the success of its scientist, Isaac Ajeh, who won a NASENI Innovation Grant for research into converting plantain peels into pharmaceutical products.

The project seeks to explore how agricultural waste can be transformed into useful pharmaceutical products, highlighting the potential intersection between local research, healthcare and sustainable innovation.

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NIPRD said it was also expanding its digital capacity through upgrades to its NCC Centre, computer-based testing facilities and other information and communication technology infrastructure.

According to the institute, the facilities will support computer-based examinations, digital research and technology-driven learning, while providing access to ICT facilities for schools in surrounding communities.

The administration has also supported researchers to participate in national and international training programmes, which the institute said would expose them to global best practices and strengthen scientific collaboration.

“Under Professor Builders’ leadership, NIPRD continues to pursue initiatives aimed at strengthening local pharmaceutical production, translating research into practical solutions, and improving Nigeria’s healthcare capacity,” it noted.