Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Government has officially inaugurated the first Nigeria’s Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI), dedicated exclusively to newborn health research, innovation, training and policy development, in order to reduce Nigeria’s alarming rate of newborn deaths.
CeNHRI, is a health centre located at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, funded by Gates Foundation and in partnership with the AIDS Initiative for Social Impact and Development (AISID).
Commissioning of the centre located at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti (EKSUTH), Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji described the centre as a transformative initiative that would not only benefit Ekiti State but also contribute significantly to improving newborn survival across Nigeria and the African continent.
The Governor said the facility was conceived as an African-focused institution dedicated to generating knowledge, developing innovative solutions, strengthening health systems and contributing to the reduction of neonatal mortality across the continent.
He also highlighted the centre’s neonatal simulation facility, describing it as the first of its kind in the region and a major tool for equipping healthcare workers with life-saving skills needed to improve the quality of care for newborns and mothers.
His words, “Thousands of newborns in Africa die annually from preventable causes, many within the first days and weeks of life. Behind every statistic is a family burdened with grief and a society deprived of future potential.
“This centre represents our collective resolve to confront these challenges through science, innovation, collaboration and evidence-based action”.
Also speaking, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) in Ekiti State will play a critical role in curbing child mortality in Nigeria.
The minister, represented at the commissioning of the centre at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti by Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, said the facility, which is the first newborn health research and innovation centre in Nigeria, would position the country at the forefront of evidence-based solutions to neonatal health challenges.
According to the minister, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest burden of newborn deaths globally, making the establishment of CeNHRI, both timely and strategic.
He noted that approximately 1.3 million newborns die globally every year, accounting for nearly 47% of all deaths among children under the age of five, while sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest share of the burden.
The Minister said CeNHRI would provide the research, innovation and training ecosystem required to support these interventions and strengthen ongoing national efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
He equally commended the Ekiti State Government, the AIDS Initiative for Social Impact and Development (AISID), the Gates Foundation and other development partners for investing in a project capable of generating locally driven solutions to one of Nigeria’s most persistent health challenges.
“Nigeria alone contributes one of the largest shares of newborn deaths globally, with an estimated neonatal mortality rate of about 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“These numbers are not just statistics; they represent children who never celebrated their first birthdays, mothers whose hopes were cut short and families carrying unimaginable pain.
“The establishment of this centre reflects the growing recognition that Nigeria must not only consume global health knowledge but also produce it.
“The centre’s focus on implementation science, digital innovation, capacity building and policy translation aligns perfectly with our national health priorities”. He added
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of CeNHRI and Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said the centre reflects the state government’s commitment to building strong and sustainable health institutions.
According to him, newborn survival remains one of the most urgent public health concerns in Nigeria and tackling the challenge requires investments in evidence generation, workforce development, quality improvement and stronger health systems.
On her part, the Executive Director of CeNHRI, Dr Olufunke Bolaji, revealed that Nigeria records about 280,000 newborn deaths annually, one of the highest figures globally.
She noted that many of these deaths occur in health facilities and communities where healthcare workers often lack adequate tools, training and support systems.
Bolaji explained that the centre would generate local evidence on newborn health challenges, translate research findings into practical interventions, engage policymakers and strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers through advanced training programmes.
Also speaking at the event, the representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Mary Brantuo described the centre as a major investment in human capital and sustainable development.
Brantuo said said healthy newborns grow into healthy children and productive adults, stressing that investments in newborn health are critical to national development.
She urged stakeholders to leverage the centre as a platform for translating commitments into action and innovation into measurable impact.
