The College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at transforming the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT) into a premier hub for medical research, innovation and postgraduate education across Africa.
The roadmap was presented on Wednesday during the opening of the institute’s two-day organisational review and repositioning retreat, themed “Re-Align, Re-Energize, Re-Position,” held at the Digital Park of the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.
The gathering attracted members of the university management, former provosts, directors of research institutes, medical researchers, policymakers, development partners and alumni, all of whom convened to map out a new future for the institute, which has remained one of Nigeria’s leading biomedical research centres for more than 40 years.
Addressing participants, the Director of IAMRAT, Prof. Ike Ajayi, described the retreat as a critical moment for the institute, stressing the need to respond to the rapidly changing landscape of global medical research through stronger governance, increased investment and broader partnerships to tackle Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
Speaking further, the IAMRAT Director, Prof. Ajayi, said, “Advances in science, evolving funding models and increasing expectations for accountability demand a stronger governance structure capable of sustaining research excellence and attracting international partnerships.”
She noted that while the institute had made notable contributions in malaria, infectious diseases, neuroscience, genetics, molecular medicine, epidemiology, environmental health and public health research, there was an urgent need for institutional reforms.
Ajayi said, “The research landscape has changed. Collaboration is now multidisciplinary and global, funding mechanisms have evolved, and expectations of accountability and impact are much higher.
“The question before us is whether IAMRAT is positioned for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges. Governance reform is therefore central to this retreat because without a modern administrative framework, progress in research, training and innovation cannot be sustained.”
According to her, the retreat will assess the institute’s 2021–2025 strategic plan, compare its operations with those of leading research institutions across Africa and develop practical measures to strengthen governance, improve communication, attract resources and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
“We seek to build an institute that is strategically focused, globally competitive, financially sustainable, transparent, collaborative and responsive to Nigeria’s health priorities. Transformation requires courage, innovation and a shared commitment to excellence,” she added.
The Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran, also underscored the importance of the retreat, describing it as an opportunity for sincere institutional assessment.
He said research organisations should be prepared to evaluate their own performance with the same level of objectivity they apply in scientific inquiry.
According to him, the true measure of the institute’s success extends beyond grants and research publications to its capacity to mentor emerging scientists, stimulate innovation and foster an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive.
“Research itself teaches us that progress begins with the willingness to ask whether there is a better way. Institutions that support research should examine themselves with the same honesty they expect from the scientific process,” Ogundiran said.
He urged participants to focus on implementing lasting reforms rather than merely identifying existing challenges.
“Years from now, very few people will remember the presentations made at this retreat, but the decisions taken here and our commitment to implementing them will shape this institution long after this event has ended,” he said.
In his keynote address, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and former Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Babatunde Salako, emphasised that meaningful improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system would depend on greater investment in research and innovation.
He identified inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, a shortage of dedicated researchers and fragmented research activities as major obstacles limiting the institute’s development.
“IAMRAT was never intended to be just another research centre conducting routine studies. It was created to be a hub of innovation and a bridge between academia, healthcare and society, where research transforms into cures, training shapes leaders and service uplifts communities,” he said.
Salako advocated expanding the institute’s malaria research programme into a comprehensive infectious disease centre covering tuberculosis, HIV, Lassa fever and emerging viral infections.
He also called for increased attention to cancer research, genomics, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neuroscience and precision medicine.
“Every experiment we conduct and every dataset we analyse must carry the potential to improve healthcare delivery, influence public policy and save lives,” he said.
He further recommended integrating research institutes within the College of Medicine under IAMRAT to reduce duplication of responsibilities, improve operational efficiency and enhance access to funding opportunities.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olapegba, formally declared the retreat open and reaffirmed the institute’s importance to the university’s vision of becoming a globally recognised research-led institution.
Olapegba said IAMRAT had strengthened the university’s international profile through its achievements in malaria research, molecular biology, genetics and biomedical sciences.
“The landscape of global health is changing rapidly. We must realign our strengths, refocus our priorities, re-energise our workforce and reposition IAMRAT to lead scientific discovery from Africa rather than merely participate in it,” he said.