The Nigerian Government has announced plans to launch an electronic portal for the submission and approval of health research proposals by the end of 2025, in a bid to enhance transparency, efficiency, and ethical compliance in the country’s health research ecosystem.
The initiative was revealed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, during a two-day workshop on the Electronic Portal Protocol Management System and National Ethics Standardisation Sensitisation, held in Abuja. Represented by Dr Kamil Shotirere, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Ministry, Dr Salako said the platform is currently in its pilot phase.
“We are committed to ensuring that all health research activities in Nigeria conform to international ethical standards.”
“This electronic portal will serve as a centralised system for submitting and reviewing research protocols, which will help harmonise practices across the country,”Dr Salako said.
According to him, the new system is expected to reduce turnaround times for ethical reviews and provide a more transparent and accessible process for researchers nationwide.
“The portal is undergoing final testing, and we anticipate that researchers will begin submitting proposals well before the full launch at the end of the year,” Dr Shotirere added.
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The project is part of a broader effort by the federal government to strengthen governance and oversight of health research. By digitising the protocol approval process, the ministry aims to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure timely feedback on submissions.
“This is a game-changer,” said Dr Haruna Mohammed, a public health expert and one of the facilitators at the workshop. “It marks a significant step towards aligning Nigeria’s research ethics system with global best practices.”
Participants at the workshop, which included ethics committee members, academic researchers, and civil society stakeholders, lauded the initiative, noting that it will foster a more enabling environment for responsible research and innovation.
The government said it is also working with regulatory bodies and institutions to ensure the seamless integration of the e-portal into existing research frameworks across various sectors.
