FIC Report (Ekiti State) – The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. 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 spoke at the commissioning of the centre at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday.
CeNHRI, located at EKSUTH, is funded by the Gates Foundation in partnership with the AIDS Initiative for Social Impact and Development (AISID). It is Nigeria’s first centre dedicated exclusively to newborn health research, innovation, training, and policy development.
Represented by Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, the Minister said the facility would position Nigeria at the forefront of evidence-based solutions to neonatal health challenges.
He noted that Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest burden of newborn deaths globally, making the establishment of the CeNHRI, both timely and strategic.
According to him, approximately 1.3 million newborns die globally every year, accounting for nearly 47% of all under-five deaths, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest share. Nigeria alone records about 280,000 newborn deaths annually, with a neonatal mortality rate of 41 per 1,000 live births.
“These numbers are not just statistics; they represent children who never celebrated their first birthdays and families carrying unimaginable pain,” Pate said. He added that the centre’s focus on implementation science, digital innovation, and capacity building aligns with national health priorities.
The Minister commended the Ekiti State Government, AISID, the Gates Foundation, and other partners for investing in locally driven solutions to one of Nigeria’s most persistent health challenges.
Commissioning the centre, Governor Biodun Oyebanji described it as a transformative initiative that would improve newborn survival across Nigeria and Africa. He said the facility was conceived as an African-focused institution to generate knowledge, develop solutions, and strengthen health systems.
The Governor highlighted the centre’s neonatal simulation facility, the first of its kind in the region, as a major tool for equipping healthcare workers with life-saving skills. “Thousands of newborns die from preventable causes. This centre represents our resolve to confront these challenges through science and evidence-based action,” he said.
CeNHRI Board Chairman and Ekiti Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the centre reflects the state’s commitment to building strong health institutions. He noted that tackling newborn survival requires investments in evidence generation, workforce development, and quality improvement.
Executive Director of CeNHRI, Dr. Olufunke Bolaji, said many newborn deaths occur in facilities where workers lack tools and training. She explained that the centre will generate local evidence, translate research into practical interventions, engage policymakers, and run advanced training for healthcare workers.
WHO Representative, Dr. Mary Brantuo, described the centre as a major investment in human capital and sustainable development. She stressed that healthy newborns grow into productive adults and urged stakeholders to leverage the centre to turn commitments into measurable impact.
Ayeni Omoniyi
CIA&PRO
6/06/2026.
