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Tunde and Musa work in a department where the new head (Mr Ojo) is always screaming at everybody and insulting the staff members for any and every offence you can imagine. If he meets you standing, you are in trouble. If he meets you sitting down and not appearing busy, you are very lazy and indolent. If you ask him for clarifications regarding assigned tasks, it means you are too stupid to use your own brain. ‘Or do you want me to come and do your work for you? What am I paying you a salary for?’ He would scream.

Everyone now lives in terror and becomes anxious when they have to come to work every day. When he travels on official assignments, everyone usually heaves a sigh of relief and is able to relax. Indeed, Tunde is contemplating resigning from the office and starting a business on his own. ‘It will be better for my peace of mind,’ he told Musa. ‘I cannot continue to function in such a tense atmosphere again. I am even developing hypertension. Worse still, when I get home every day, I am so irritable that I sometimes shout at my wife and children. I have had enough, and I can’t take any more.’ He concluded.

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. However, the mental component of health is often neglected and forgotten. Especially in workplaces.

There is a bidirectional relationship between the mental health of the employees and the efficiency or productivity of the workplace/organisation. We know that one in every four adults will have mental health challenges. And 20% of all employees in the workforce may experience a mental health condition. Indeed, the estimated cost to the global economy of depression and anxiety alone is $1 trillion US dollars. and this may be an underestimate.

So, it is not unusual for people to have mental health challenges at the workplace. But you may wonder why you do not readily identify those with these problems in your workplace. For one simple reason only: it is often hidden and viewed as a source of embarrassment and shame. This is unfortunate. Estimates show that up to 70 per cent of those with mental health problems hide it in their workplace for a variety of reasons. There is shame and fear of being stigmatized, but there is also the real fear that they may lose their jobs or fail to ever secure one if it is known that they have had a mental health challenge.

Work environment and mental health

A good work environment enables people to realise their full potential, helps them cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities. In such work environments, the staff enjoys good self-esteem, they have positive social interactions with colleagues, and their productivity is enhanced. Thus, it is a win-win situation that allows a happy employee to also improve earnings, thus leading to a happy employer.

A toxic work environment, as we see with Tunde and Musa above, on the other hand, is very unfriendly, enforces rigid working hours, has poor remuneration with irregular salary payments, no job security, high levels of mutual suspicion, and bullying behaviour from superiors – sometimes including sexual harassment. These conditions ensure that the staff will not be motivated to put in their best.

What can you do?

It is pertinent to encourage us to discuss these issues, as mental health challenges can affect anyone, including the head of human resources or the chief executive officer. Should we sack anyone who suffers from these disorders? If the CEO were to become depressed, should we dismiss him/her? Obviously not.

Even more importantly, we need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage people to seek treatment. We should provide support and encouragement for persons with these challenges and not be seen to make fun of them publicly or privately, behind their backs.

Every work environment should make an effort to reduce work-related risk factors. Speak nicely to people and promote good interpersonal relationships. Do not insult, harass or threaten people as a habit in your workplace. Recognize and praise people when they do things well, and correct them in a humane manner when they err. We all have a role to play in our respective workplaces. Will you play your part?

THE Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has described research, innovation, and development as the tripod of societal stability, acknowledging research as the foundational leg of the tripod, innovation as its transitional leg, and development as the impactful leg.

He asserted that societal stability and progress depend on the strength of the trio.

He made this statement at the opening ceremony of the university’s research and development fair tagged ‘UI-Town Connect 2025.’

The annual event was part of activities marking the 77th Founder’s Day of the institution and the 2025 convocation ceremonies.

Professor Adebowale acknowledged the timeliness of the fair’s theme, ‘Research, Innovation and Development: A Tripod for Meeting Societal Needs,’ stating that the metaphor perfectly captures the symbiotic relationship between the three concepts.

He disclosed that the fair was aimed at strengthening the tripod, saying that research works are incomplete until they transcend the boundaries of the institution and effect tangible changes in the community and the nation at large.

The VC emphasised the importance of the fair, explaining that it is a cornerstone of the activities marking the 77th Foundation Day and 2025 convocation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan.

The deputy vice chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, disclosed that the fair had become a vital platform where scholars, investors, and policymakers collaborate to transform research into solutions that address real societal needs.

She explained that the 2025 theme emphasises that research must drive innovation and innovation must result in development, reiterating that knowledge creation, practical application, and societal impact must work together to solve real problems.

The chairperson of the fair, Founder/CEO of Psaltry International Company Limited, Mrs Oluyemisi Iranloye, disclosed that Psaltry’s major breakthrough came when Nigeria and Africa’s first, and the world’s second, cassava-based sorbitol factory was established, explaining that this was the result of combined efforts in Research, Innovation, and Development (RID) to meet societal needs.

She added that deploying the tripod enabled the local production of sorbitol from cassava, a key ingredient used in toothpaste production which was previously made mainly from corn and largely imported.

Mrs Iranloye submitted that when we take problem-solving through RID, we are doing more than building a sustainable livelihood or becoming trailblazers; we are contributing to local and global development.

In his keynote address, MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings, Engineer Adegbite Falade, asserted that a patent that powers a factory contributes more to national productivity than a dozen journal citations, urging academia to give incentives to problem-solvers rather than reward academics solely for their publications.

He identified the lack of modern prototyping facilities, pilot-scale plants or accreditation labs, inadequate funding, weak Intellectual Property (IP) frameworks, and policy incoherence as gaps that need to be bridged in order to scale up on the tripod.

Falade called for five strategic reforms to accelerate RID. He listed them as: creating research-industry clusters around leading universities; launching a National Innovation Fund; standardising IP and revenue-sharing policies; institutionalising annual ‘Industry Challenge Briefs,’ and measuring and publishing outcomes.

The Director General of DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, in an address read on his behalf by Dr Adesoji Farayibi, stated that for research, innovation, and development to function effectively as a tripod, several success factors must align.

He said research must be supported by a robust innovation ecosystem that includes incubators, intellectual property frameworks, and technology transfer offices.

He restated that adequate and stable funding, good institutional governance, and an enabling policy environment are essential, urging universities to foster interdisciplinary research, reward innovation, and encourage risk-taking that moves innovations from prototypes to real-world impact through viable business models and partnerships that ensure long-term societal and economic benefits.

The Special Guest of Honour and Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Nigeria Office, Dr Oluwatobiloba Moody, asserted that an understanding of Intellectual Property (IP) will transform Nigeria’s development journey, disclosing that IP is the engine at the heart of driving innovation.

He described IP as creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce, saying that the interests of creators and other producers of intellectual goods and services need to be safeguarded.

According to him, IP rights provide the legal basis through which creators of works, whether individuals or institutions – are able to benefit from their investments in creation. Therefore, understanding intellectual property (IP) is an important part of commercialising research, and it is a multi-step process to take an invention from the laboratory out into the world.

Professor Andrew Fadoju, Chairman, UI RESDEV Committee, had earlier disclosed that the objective of the fair was to provide a platform to foster collaboration, showcase innovation, and explore opportunities.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the Gen-Z Hackathon 2.0 Grand Finale, which featured five teams pitching their innovative ideas, with the top three walking away with cash prizes.

An exhibition scheduled to hold for two-day followed the opening ceremony.

The Chairman of the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law Agency Task Force Unit, Justice Olajumoke Aiki (rtd), has addressed public misconceptions about the agency’s functions, emphasising its firm commitment to curbing land grabbing and related offences across the state.

Justice Aiki made this clarification while featuring on a television programme in Ibadan.

According to her, the agency’s primary mandate is to conduct thorough investigations into land-related criminal allegations and take appropriate actions under the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law 2016 based on the outcome of such investigations.

In her words, ‘This agency does not rule on land matters as it is not a court of law or mediation centre. People have lots of misconceptions about our work here. Our task is basically to carry out thorough and comprehensive investigations into land and other related properties’ disputes.

‘The Real Properties Protection Law 2016, which established the agency, provides proper clarification on our tasks regarding land and other related properties’ disputes.’

Justice Aiki noted that the Task Force Unit operates in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and other governmental and institutional bodies, including the Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Surveyor-General, the Ministry of Lands, Bureau of Physical Planning and Environmental Development and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. These collaborations, she said, ensure justice and fairness in the investigations of land issues due to the sensitive nature of such disputes.

‘This collaborative approach with security agencies to carry out thorough investigations, which is our major responsibility in land-related disputes, is borne out of the dream of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, in ridding the state of land grabbing,’ she stressed.

The retired jurist added that the agency’s operations also involve legal officers from the Ministry of Justice, who ensure compliance with the rule of law in the investigations, preparation of legal advice and prosecution of offenders under the enabling law.

She explained, ‘We also have lawyers from the Ministry of Justice who carry out due diligence in compliance with the rule of law and also prepare legal advice based on the investigations to determine who will be charged in court for trial or otherwise. Basically, we receive petitions and we carry out thorough investigations on them as required by law.’

Justice Aiki also identified potential violators of the Real Properties Protection Law to include individuals involved in forceful entry into others’ lands, fraudulent sales or purchases of land (whether government or private), illegal destruction of landed property, violent threats against rightful owners, among others. She therefore advised the public to always conduct proper verification before purchasing land.

While commenting on the efforts of the agency since its inception, she commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support of the agency’s work with every operational need.

On public awareness of the agency’s roles, Justice Aiki stated that the agency has continued to adopt enlightenment campaigns through radio, television, and print media to educate the public on land-grabbing-related issues.

‘Someone from Osun State once called me from Osogbo, that he heard the agency’s jingle while listening to a radio station from Ibadan. This cuts across all the geo-political zones of Oyo State,’ she recalled.

Speaking on procedures for petition submission, she explained that both the collection and submission of petition forms are free of charge, including legal representation when criminal cases are taken to court, alluding to the directive of Governor Makinde.

‘Our forms collection and submission are free. We are even working on designing a web portal where people can obtain, fill in, and submit their forms, while physical interaction with petitioners and respondents will only be arranged when and where necessary,’ she disclosed.

On the agency’s achievements since commencing full operations in 2023 after skeletal works in 2022, when the agency was inaugurated, she revealed that over 3,500 forms have been collected, with more than 2,500 returned, and nearly 1,000 petitions concluded within the past two years.

While acknowledging some teething challenges, Justice Aiki expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his steadfast support and provision of resources necessary for the agency’s smooth operation.

‘With the help of God and the support of our amiable Governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, we keep surmounting every obstacle. The governor supports and provides us with every operational need to make our work run smoothly. We also enjoy the support and cooperation of our security operatives, as well as other stakeholders. It has been a good collaboration between us all,’ she stated.

She further noted that the task force operatives of the agency are seasoned professionals who undergo regular training to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in handling land-related disputes.

Justice Aiki also clarified that there is no conflict between the operations of the committee recently set up by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to mediate on land matters and the agency’s functions, explaining that both bodies have distinct mandates.

According to her, while the Olubadan’s committee focuses on mediation, the agency is empowered by law to address the criminal aspects of land-related offences.

She therefore cautioned individuals and groups involved in land grabbing and other related matters to desist from such acts, reiterating the agency’s commitment to ensuring fairness, justice, and due process in handling all petitions brought before it and tackling the menace of land grabbing and related offences across Oyo State.

It should also be noted that to further enhance the operations of the agency, on the 3rd of November, 2025, the operational vehicles approved for the agency by Governor Seyi Makinde were released.

Stakeholders have stressed the importance of allied health professionals maintaining a healthy financial life while navigating economic uncertainties.

NAUHP chairman Comrade Oladayo Olabampe stated at the opening of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan 2025 Health Week, that financial uncertainties can affect anyone, regardless of position, status, or profession, because Nigeria’s economic landscape is constantly changing.

Comrade Olabampe said that in order to survive the current global economic crises, health professionals-especially NUAHP members-need to have practical insights, expert counsel, and leverage on platforms to share experiences.

Chief Medical Director of UCH, Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, who spoke through Professor Bukola Adesina, reiterated the commitment of his management to staff welfare and service provision to its teeming clients.

He declared members of the NAUHP to be positively minded, work hard and go for excellence regardless of the challenges they may face in life.

‘We will come out bigger, better and stronger. Tough times do not last; what tough people do does. The hospital will continue to offer clinical services to our teeming patients and prepare our students to be leaders as we keep the train moving, the flag flying and this ship afloat.

‘We will definitely come out sailing with our heads and shoulders high if we maintain our breath, stay afloat, and keep all of our senses surrounding us,’ he said.

Chairman at the occasion, Chief David Oyewole described the theme of the meeting, ‘A Healthy Financial Life: Navigating Economic Uncertainties’, as apt, and urged them to walk the talk and ensure that the outcome of their deliberations be circularized to appropriate agencies for implementation.

Group head, Commercial Banking Group, First Bank Plc, Agodi, Mr Taiwo Eleshinnla, in his keynote, said based on many indicators, Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved, but individuals must enhance their wealth creation skills, stop habits inimical to financial stability and make investments.

He listed investment opportunities to explore, to include real estate, stocks and shares, mutual funds, treasury bills, bonds and fixed deposits.

Mr. Eleshinnla urged them to give up their habits of putting off investments, spending money without a budget, going over their income, investing in unfamiliar ventures, and dreaming of becoming wealthy overnight.

The pioneer graduates of Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED), Lagos have been inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

They were inducted on campus in Ijanikin recently at an event organized in their honour.

The registrar CEO of MDCN, Professor Fatima Kyari, administered the oath of allegiance on them, urging them to adhere strictly to the dictates of the profession.

According to her, medical and dental health practice is a serious profession that practitioners have to be careful and courteous as human lives are involved.

While congratulating them on the accomplishment, she also asked them to use their knowledge to save lives and promote people’s well-being and equally respect the rights of their patients.

Earlier in his address, the founder of the university, Dr Hammed Ibraheem, expressed happiness for producing the first set, praising the entire management and staff of the institution for the achievement.

He said they were the ones who laboured to produce the inductees in a record time.

The founder, remembering the past, said ‘it took me many years before I eventually established this university. We started as the first private medical university in Nigeria to be licensed by the National Universities Commission, NUC.

‘Since then, we’re committed to the progress of healthcare services in Nigeria, and the university is listed in the Directory of World Medical Universities,’ he said.

According to him, ‘EkoUNIMED is committed to advancing medical research, promoting public health and producing doctors, who will not only treat illnesses but also lead in policy innovation and preventive care.

‘So, we shall continue to expand our infrastructure, strengthen our partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of healthcare delivery and services not only in Nigeria but globally.’

He, however, announced a cash prize of N1 million to be given to the Overall best of the set, Adenuga Adejumoke, who also received another half a million Naira cash gift given by the chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA),Lagos State branch, Dr Kehinde on behalf of the association.

Ibraheem congratulated the inductees and their parents and thanked the Lagos State government for the partnership that allows students of the university to use the general hospitals in the state for their clinical teachings and practicals.

On his part, the vice chancellor, Professor G.O.G Awosanya, underscored the significance of the induction of the graduates into medical field, urging them to demonstrate the quality training in medicine and character they had in the university as they go into practice.

He also asked them to see their calling as sacred and which demanded knowledge, empathy and integrity.

He lauded the founder for the vision that gave birth to the university and also his commitment to the growth and development of the university.

Delivering the induction lecture, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Yaba, Professor John Obafunwa, highlighted the importance of further studies, urging them to be open to new knowledge, remain focused and be ready to learn from others when they get into the field.

In his remarks, the chairman of NMA, Lagos State branch, Dr Kehinde Saheed, also encouraged the inductees to be guided by the ethics of the profession.

He said they should be good ambassadors of the university, their homes and Nigeria anywhere they choose to practice globally.

Dr Tosin Oshinubi oversees Salient’s Advisory and Partnership Teams, where he works with governments, life sciences companies, donors and global health agencies to drive transformations in health systems across Africa with a focus on technology. In this interview with SADE OGUNTOLA, he speaks to the unsustainable aid-driven models for health and their inefficiency and the changes required in Nigeria’s health sector to support universal health coverage for all. Excerpts:

What are the challenges we are likely to face with aid-driven models for funding healthcare in Nigeria? Do you think it is sustainable?

Conversations about aid-driven models are especially important for Nigeria’s public health sector, given the global shifts we’re seeing in development assistance. These models came about because many governments, including Nigeria’s, have struggled to meet the full budget needs for healthcare. Over the years, aid has served as a lifeline, helping to sustain critical programmes for HIV, malaria, family planning, and tuberculosis. Unfortunately, whenever domestic funding falls short, the result is often seen in rising illness and death rates.

In the short term, aid has been a lifeline. But in the long term, it’s actually inefficient and unable to build that long-term systemic capacity that we require for true health resilience. So, the challenge has been overdependence on aid. That is why when there’s a policy or political change or an economic downturn in those particular countries, it immediately impacts us here in Nigeria.

As long as we continue to depend on aid from foreign donors, including countries like the United States, we will never truly develop our own funding mechanisms. It will not allow for creative thinking on how to build our health financing mechanism. It’s also not going to incentivise the government to put the needed amounts of funding in the health budget. According to the Abuja Declaration by African Union member states, countries committed to allocating at least 15 per cent of their national budgets to the health sector.

Moreover, there’s misalignment between the programmes of these donors and our own national health priorities. This often results in vertical programmes that are not coherent with the national health strategy. The honest truth is that running vertical programmes makes things more expensive and unsustainable.

In 2023, Nigeria launched a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), and this was designed to align donors’ funding with country priorities by pulling funding to a locally set agenda. This is also to ensure that Nigeria drives things. We’ve started this, but it still needs to be strengthened.

How do you see Nigeria best directing the additional $200 million it allocated to address funding shortfalls in malaria, HIV and vaccine deliveries to create long-term sustainable impact?

The truth is that this fund isn’t going to meet or fill the void left by the US government aid, but it’s a step in the right direction. What I believe Nigeria can do is also quickly use it to catalyse a number of initiatives that will push us further in the right direction. For example, we’ve never been able to get it right with our health financing mechanism. We can use a portion of this fund to strengthen social health insurance and ensure that we have effective and transparent implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). In Nigeria, the bulk of healthcare spent has been out of pocket, and this has actually driven many into poverty. But with social health insurance, like we see in countries like Rwanda and other countries, we’ll be able to cushion this.

The second one is digitising our health systems and service delivery. This will help leapfrog the challenges that we have. We recently visited Enugu State to understand how they have been able to digitise a sizable number of their primary health care facilities, leveraging the Elephant Operating System (ElephantOS). The system is helping them track and connect data on supply chains, service delivery, and financing all in one place. One of the things we saw in Enugu was that because they had digitized, they were able to identify which drugs were about to expire and prioritize using those first. They were also able to minimise stockoutsacross those digitised facilities. Additionally, with digitised primary health care facilities, patients can move from one centre to another while maintaining continuity of care. They no longer need to start afresh or repeat previous tests, as doctors can easily access their medical history through the digital system. They can also predict disease outbreaks, monitor drug stock levels, and manage health worker deployment more efficiently because they can see all those things in real time. So digitisation is key.

One of the biggest issues we’re having with this cutting of aid to Nigeria is that we’re experiencing stockoutsof essential drugs and medical supplies in some programmes. A significant portion of the donor aid in many countries, including Nigeria, goes into the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. So, more of this funding should also go into strengthening the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), which the federal government set up 2 years ago to help catalyse local manufacturing of drugs and medical supplies.

Foreign aid has historically supported access to essential medicines but has often limited the growth of local pharmaceutical manufacturing, as it frequently came with imported supplies that were cheaper than locally produced ones. While this improved access in the short term, it also weakened local capacity. Today, however, this experience presents an opportunity to strengthen our local supply chains, build manufacturing resilience, and better withstand external shocks like those experienced during COVID-19.

Additionally, last year, Nigeria established MediPool to aggregate the purchase of healthcare supplies on behalf of the government and various programmes. This is a step in the right direction, but it can be further strengthened by linking it to global procurement platforms to ensure access to quality-assured and pre-negotiated healthcare products.

Another critical area for investment is primary health care infrastructure and the frontline workforce, particularly community health extension workers (CHEWs). Nigeria has a much larger pool of CHEWs compared to doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, making them a practical foundation for expanding access. It’s easier and faster to train CHEWs and equip them with digital tools that enable them to deliver essential primary health care services. With the right support, they can bridge critical gaps and ensure communities receive consistent, quality primary health care.

Can all these work given the emigration of health workers, power outages and insecurity problems in Nigeria?

These are perennial issues in the health sector. Brain drain is a symptom of a deeper problem, some of which are poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration and inadequate professional development opportunities. So, how can we help the healthcare workers we already have in Nigeria become more efficient? One way is through the adoption of technologies that make their work faster and easier. For instance, medical transcription tools that reduce the time spent documenting patient cases, AI-powered clinical decision support systems that speed up diagnosis, and telehealth services that expand access to care.

The power challenge isn’t unique to the healthcare sector. It’s something we see across the board. But one practical way forward is to deploy off-grid solar solutions to ensure our health facilities have reliable power. I understand that a committee within the Federal Ministry of Health is already working on this issue, which is encouraging. I often reference Enugu State because of the progress they’ve made in digitising their health system. The truth is, if you digitise without stable power or internet connectivity, you won’t get far. What we’ve seen in Enugu is that they’ve put several alternatives in place, including installing solar panels at some of their facilities. Running generators on petrol or diesel is simply too expensive to sustain. This is also where stronger collaboration with the private sector becomes critical. Some companies can step in and support this as part of their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Initiatives, helping to power healthcare, quite literally.

There’s no doubt that this $200 million alone cannot solve the challenge of achieving universal health coverage. Universal health coverage is a journey, not just for Nigeria, but for every nation striving to build equitable and resilient health systems. It is a long-term goal that requires sustained and strategic investment, not just a one-off cash injection. So this amount they’re bringing in is a catalyst; it is a step in the right direction, but we need to do more. The government needs to increase its budget for healthcare.

With the hindsight of your work at Salient Advisory, which you represent to create awareness on African-led solutions that can strengthen healthcare systems, how do you see AI coming in to transform our health systems?

AI is revolutionising every sector, not just the healthcare sector. However, AI is a tool to solve problems. It’s not a goal in itself. We can deploy AI when we understand the problems. AI has been transforming what we do in healthcare, including transcription for clinicians and predictive disease surveillance. It is able to analyse a vast amount of data from hospitals and everywhere to quickly predict and detect disease outbreaks even before they become large-scale.

AI can also help to improve diagnostics, providing clinical decision support. For example, there are AI-powered diagnostic tools that can analyze CT scans to determine the type of stroke a patient has had and identify its location. AI enhances supply chain management through advanced analytics and accurate demand forecasting. It improves inventory management, optimizes procurement and distribution, and helps prevent stock-outs and wastage, thereby making supply chains more efficient and resilient.

Going forward, how best can individuals and the government tap into technology to cope with the trying times ahead in the health sector?

The government needs to continue its efforts to digitise our public health institutions. Digitisation brings greater transparency, reduces inefficiencies, and improves visibility across the supply chain. It also provides reliable data for better decision-making and planning within the health system.

However, one of the biggest challenges we face today is fragmentation. Across the country, we’re seeing different states at various stages of digitisation, some at the primary healthcare level, others at secondary facilities, but the systems don’t speak to each other. Most national reporting still goes through the District Health Information Software (DHIS2), and much of that is still done manually because the state-level systems aren’t integrated. They’re also not connected to the National Health Logistics Management Information System (NHLMIS).

This lack of integration means that while progress is being made, the full benefits of digitisation are yet to be realised. We can’t see what’s happening in real time across facilities, which limits our ability to plan, allocate resources, and respond effectively.

To solve this, Nigeria is working on establishing a Health Information Exchange (HIE), a system that would allow health data to flow seamlessly between platforms, facilities, and institutions. And if we get this right, it could be as transformative as what happened in our banking sector.

Think back to how banking used to be in Nigeria. Everything was paper-based. Banks began digitising one by one, but transferring money between them was still a challenge. That changed when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee came together to establish the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). With the launch of the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) platform, Nigerians could suddenly transfer funds across banks and receive payments in real time. It completely revolutionised efficiency and trust in the financial system.

That’s exactly what a Health Information Exchange can do for healthcare. Once all our systems, DHIS2, NHLMIS, and the various state platforms, are interconnected, we’ll be able to track services, monitor supply chains, and access patient data in real time. It will make our health system far more efficient, transparent, and responsive, just as NIBSS did for the banking industry.

Of course, we recognise that the health sector is far more complex than banking, with many more players, data points, and sensitivities. But the principle of integration and interoperability is what we should learn from. If we can apply that same level of coordination and trust to healthcare, the results will be truly transformative.

Another big point for me is that the government really needs to embrace innovation more intentionally and work hand in hand with those driving it, especially our health tech innovators and startups.

Take Figorr, for example. It’s a Nigerian health tech company that has built an incredible solution to monitor the potency and safety of vaccines. The system sends alerts whenever there’s a break in the cold chain, helping to prevent vaccine spoilage and ensuring people get effective doses. Figorr is also partnering with the Nigerian government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, to strengthen vaccine monitoring and distribution across the country.

But collaboration isn’t a one-way street. Health tech startups also have to think differently about how they work with the government. They need to design with government priorities in mind, engage early, and show measurable value. And their solutions have to fit seamlessly into existing health systems, not operate in isolation. Most importantly, innovators must recognise that the era of big aid is over. The future is about designing for what the government, the local market, and patients can actually pay for. Sustainability isn’t optional; it has to be built into the model from day one.

And it’s not just about the government and startups. Individuals also have a role to play. We all need to embrace technology more in our daily health decisions. Today, there are mobile apps that let you track your health, consult a doctor remotely, or even order your medication from licensed pharmacies. These tools put more power in people’s hands and make healthcare more personal and accessible.

At Salient Advisory, we believe that technology is the key to progress. Yes, Africa may lag behind developed regions in infrastructure, but we also have a unique opportunity to leapfrog through innovation. That’s exactly why we launched the Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) programme.

The i3 programme supports health-tech innovators across Africa and is delivered in collaboration with leading global and regional partners. It is coordinated by Salient Advisory alongside the Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR), reflecting a deliberate effort to anchor the programme within Africa’s innovation ecosystems.

Through i3, innovators receive more than just funding. They get connected with investors, funders and strategic partners; they gain capacity through access to expert mentors; they receive risk-tolerant capital to help them scale; and they build credibility by getting visibility on global stages from international conferences to major media platforms.

When we invest in innovation and build stronger collaboration between the public sector, private players, and individuals, we move closer to a health system that truly works, one that is inclusive, efficient, and sustainable for the future.

Pregnancy is a natural process that many women undergo, but it is often accompanied by discomfort, particularly in the early phase. One of the most common symptoms during pregnancy is nausea and vomiting, known as emesis gravidarum, which typically occurs in the first trimester.

Various natural remedies, such as lime extract, are believed to alleviate these symptoms. Lime, rich in essential limonin, linalool, and flavonoids, offers benefits for pregnant women by potentially relieving nausea and vomiting. Additionally, honey, when consumed during pregnancy, can support overall health and immunity.

Researchers, in a study that investigated the effect of honey-lime juice on nausea and vomiting in pregnant women with emesis gravidarum, suggested that honey-lime juice is a promising alternative for managing this common pregnancy symptom.

Chronic nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can lead to dehydration and weight loss in the expectant mother. Both the pregnant woman and the baby can be injured as a result of this, and both can even die if they do not receive prompt and adequate treatment.

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be treated using medicines. However, these drugs may have a teratogenic effect, which can alter the development of the foetus in the early stages of pregnancy.

Many pregnant women seek alternative or traditional medicine as a therapeutic option because of the potential for birth abnormalities caused by drugs.

Plants that have been shown in the literature to be beneficial for reducing nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy include ginger, chamomile, raspberry leaf, peppermint, and lime extract.

For the study, the pregnant women had the honey-lime juice for four consecutive days, during which the frequency of nausea and vomiting was measured on the first and fourth days.

On the first day, the expectant mother is given a lime juice intervention consisting of 250 ml of warm water, one lime fruit 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, and a tablespoon of honey. This is done twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the International Conference of Innovation, Science, Technology, Education, Children, and Health, involved 30 pregnant women in Indonesia.

The majority of pregnant women experienced a reduction from moderate to mild nausea, and the overall intensity of nausea and vomiting decreased. The nausea and vomiting severity scores dropped from 7.43 to 4.47 after the intervention.

‘This therapy is considered safe, natural, and beneficial not only in overcoming vomiting and nausea associated with pregnancy but also in supporting the health of the mother and foetus,’ they said.

The combination of ingredients is thought to offer a synergistic effect that helps alleviate symptoms and provide essential nutrients.

Lime’s constituents have the potential to increase bile production, which neutralizes ‘digestive juices’ and reduces nausea. Also, honey is a source of various essential minerals that are good for the body. In addition to providing a high intake of nutrients for foetal growth in the womb, honey consumption can help maintain health and endurance during pregnancy.

Previously, in a study, researchers suggested increased intake of watermelon following hospitalization for severe morning sickness.

The randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital from May 2019 to December 2020, found that adding watermelon to the diet of women with the severe type of morning sickness after hospital discharge improves body weight, morning sickness symptoms, appetite, wellbeing and satisfaction.

It was in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

In the study, 128 women at the University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were randomized to consume watermelon and to heed the advice leaflet or to heed the dietary advice leaflet alone.

Weight change metrics over the two-week trial period following hospital discharge for hyperemesis gravidarum were significantly better for the watermelon arm both at the end of the first week and through to the end of the second week, as hypothesised.

By the end of week 2, there was a 0.75 kg difference in weight change across trial arms, equivalent to a body weight change of about 1.4 per cent.

In addition, maternal satisfaction was higher, and the recommendation of the allocated intervention to a friend or family member was also higher in the watermelon arm. The confluence of these findings points to a consistent positive impact of watermelon. However, on rehospitalisation for HG, there was no difference.

However, the researchers declared, ‘The confidence building from watermelon ‘staying down’ after being eaten may encourage the consumption of other food and drink and hasten recovery from severe morning sickness.’

In addition, ginger, particularly in syrup form, can be used as a safe and effective herbal medicine to treat morning sickness. It is affordable, and the product is readily available. For instance, one study reported a decrease from 3.71 to 2.24 episodes per day in the ginger group, while the control group experienced an increase from 5.00 to 5.71 episodes.

A double-blind trial indicated that 77 per cent of participants using ginger syrup experienced a notable improvement in nausea severity, compared to only 20 per cent in the placebo group.

IHLAST Friday, President Trump had set the tone for what was to come with the disclosure on his Truth Social account that he had designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The president made it clear that he had acted in order to stop the continued slaughter of Nigerian Christians whom, as he sees it, face ‘an existential threat’ in the country. Considering recent developments, particularly persistent advocacy by Senator Ted Cruz to have the CPC tag slapped on Nigeria, the announcement by President Trump was just a question of time. However, if President Trump had intended to draw out the Nigerian government, the response by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not have been more measured. Rather than contest every inch of argumentative ground with President Trump, the Ministry merely restated the Nigerian authorities’ ‘resolve to tackle the violent extremism that is fueled by special interests.across the intersecting West African and Sahel regions’ and the Federal Government’s determination to ‘continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race (sic), creed, or religion.’ Instructively, the Foreign Affairs Ministry was careful to keep the door open to negotiation with Washington, whom it referred to as ‘a close ally.’

The relative restraint of the authorities in Abuja made President Trump’s next move all the more surprising. On Saturday, in another Truth Social post, the president escalated the situation by threatening to ‘immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria’ and ‘go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the terrorists’ if the Nigerian government ‘continues to allow the killing of Christians.’ In his response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu sought to reject ‘the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant’ because it ‘does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs (sic) for all Nigerians.’ Just like the earlier statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu also struck a pacifist tone by expressing his administration’s commitment to ‘working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.’

While President Trump’s next move is anyone’s guess, it is important to keep in mind that he has always been solicitous about the welfare of Christians in Nigeria. During his first term, he famously put then-Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on the spot by pointedly asking him during a visit to Washington, ‘Why are you killing Christians in Nigeria?’ In December 2020, citing ‘religion-based violence in Nigeria, particularly the killing and persecution of Christians,’ the first Trump administration had designated Nigeria a CPC for the first time, only to have the decision reversed by the Biden administration almost a year later in November 2021. In addition, President Trump had sold twelve counterinsurgency aircraft worth almost $500 million to the Nigerian government ‘to help in its fight against Boko Haram jihadist insurgents.’

With all this in mind, and considering President Trump’s instruction to the Department of War to ‘prepare for possible action’; given Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s enthusiastic endorsement that ‘the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria-and anywhere-must end immediately’; and finally, considering President Trump’s statement to reporters on Air Force One early on Sunday concerning the ‘possibility of U.S. boots on the ground or airstrikes in Nigeria’; there is a strong probability that President Trump will order U.S. military action in Nigeria in the coming weeks, the form and duration of which can hardly be predicted. Predictable or not, a unilateral intervention against the wish of the Nigerian authorities would be precisely the wrong course of action for Washington to take. By trampling over a sovereign state whose authorities have continued to show a willingness to collaborate, President Trump will needlessly invigorate skeptics who have argued that his ostensible solicitude for the welfare of Nigerian Christians is more of an ego trip than a genuine wish to see Boko Haram defeated. Furthermore, such a move would deflect attention from Boko Haram and shift the focus to the ethics of intervention and the highhandedness of a superpower riding roughshod over a poor African country. Third, it would profoundly alter the military and political calculus in Nigeria, eroding the authority of the Tinubu government and opening the door to possible military intervention in the country. Finally, it would deepen ethnoregional division in Nigeria as various elite, professional, and interest groups are forced to stand with or against Presidents Trump and Tinubu, respectively.

Instead of ordering unilateral military action, President Trump should accept President Tinubu’s conciliatory gesture and explore all avenues of military and diplomatic cooperation with Nigeria. A concerted, joint military action between U.S. Marines and the Nigerian army has to be on the table at this point. For too long, successive Nigerian administrations have treated the Boko Haram insurgency with levity, allowing the barbaric group to run rampant across the Northern and Middle Belt regions of the country. Across the broader Sahel, Boko Haram’s ideological affiliates, including al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab, ISIS, Lakurawa, Mahmuda, Islamic State West Africa Province, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin have mounted a reign of terror. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies estimates that, in the past decade, fatalities linked to the operations of these groups have surpassed 150,000. Last week, with al-Qaeda apparently on the verge of overrunning Bamako, the Malian capital, the United States warned its citizens to leave the country immediately.

President Trump is right to insist on holding the Nigerian authorities to account for allowing the crisis to get out of hand, and for condoning blasphemy violence against ordinary citizens, but the administration should not lose sight of the fact that Islamist militancy of which Boko Haram is the Nigerian spearhead, and not the Nigerian people, is the enemy. Collaboration at the highest levels, rather than a military invasion undertaken without the imprimatur of the Nigerian authorities, is what is needed to take the fight to the group and eliminate it. The American security goal should be to have a Nigeria (and by implication, a Sahel region) strong enough to repel and extirpate Boko Haram and its ideological cousins. A unilateral invasion that creates chaos and disunity in Africa’s most populous country is the wrong way to go about it. (Ryan Brown contributed to the research for this article).

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has accredited 27 registered shipyards across the country.

This is in accordance with its mandate enshrined in Section 22 of the NIMASA Act, 2007, and sections 335-339 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007, which gives the Agency statutory powers to regulate, license, inspect and enforce standards for shipyard operations in Nigeria.

‘Out of the 27 accredited facilities, 10 are located inLagos State, 8 in Rivers State, and nine in Delta State. These are the only shipyards that have so far complied with the Agency’s stringent regulatory, safety, and operational standards.

Releasing the list of accredited shipyards in Lagos, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, emphasized that the accreditation exercise forms part of the Agency’s broader drive to enhance safety and streamline operational efficiency in the maritime industry.

‘Our goal is to ensure that every shipyard operating in Nigeria adheres to international standards of safety, environmental protection, and operational efficiency. By maintaining a transparent and credible register of accredited facilities, we are boosting investor confidence, protecting maritime assets, and promoting sustainable industry growth. This underscores the Agency’s sustained commitment to promoting transparency, safety, and quality service delivery in ship repair, dry-docking, and vessel construction within Nigeria,’ Dr Mobereola stated.

As a direct benefit of this accreditation, vessels to be built at these facilities will be assigned a Keel Identification Number (KIN) by the Agency’s Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department at the time of construction, in accordance with the ‘Certificate of Plan and Specification Approval’. This KIN will make such vessel eligible to obtain an IMO Number.

The verification and accreditation process is a continuous one, aimed at ensuring operational excellence across the nation’s maritime value chain. By maintaining an updated and transparent registry of accredited facilities, NIMASA seeks to enhance industry confidence, protect investments, and align local operations with global best practices.

All is set for Baze University (BU), Abuja, to host the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE)’s international summit to address the challenge of connecting 2.9 billion unconnected people worldwide, with particular focus on African solutions.

This development was made known recently during a courtesy visit by the local organising committee of the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CTU-EMEA) Summit 2025, to the management of the university.

The IEEE CTU EMEA delegation led by the coordinator of IEEE Nigeria, Professor IfeayinwaAchumba, also had the chairman of the General Conference, Chukwuemeka Gerald Okafor, who presented comprehensive updates on the summit›s progress and its global significance.

Scheduled to hold between November 27 and 28, the high-level meeting, which brought together IEEE Nigeria leadership and Baze University›s top management, focused on finalising preparations for what promises to be one of Africa›s most significant digital inclusion conferences, themed: ‘Bridging Digital Frontiers: African Solutions for Universal Connectivity.’

Speaking during the visit, Mr Okafor emphasised the historic nature of the summit, stating that the event represents a watershed moment for Africa’s digital transformation agenda.

‘This is the first time Nigeria is hosting a major IEEE CTU international summit of this magnitude. We are bringing together over 200 global leaders, ministers, regulators, industry CEOs, and technology innovators to address the challenge of connecting 2.9 billion unconnected people worldwide, with particular focus on African solutions,’ Mr Okafor said.

The chairman of the General Conference outlined the significant progress made in securing high-profile speakers and participants, including confirmations from government ministers, international development partners such as the World Bank and ITU, telecommunications executives, and leading researchers from across the EMEA region.

Other members of the IEEE CTU EMEA delegation included the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Nneoma Offodile; IEEE Region8 representative Engr. Abdulateef Aliyu; and Dr John Odey, all of whom contributed to discussions on technical, logistical, and programmatic aspects of the summit.

The institution’s management team, led by the deputy vice chancellor (Academics), Professor Osita, who represented the vice chancellor, included the dean of Engineering, Dr Abdulazeez Rotimi, Professor A.D. Usman, Engr. Yusuf Usman, and other senior officials of the university.

The university’s leadership expressed enthusiasm about hosting the summit and reaffirmed their commitment to providing world-class facilities and support services for the international gathering.

Professor Osita noted that hosting the CTU-EMEA summit aligns perfectly with Baze University’s vision of becoming a hub for technology innovation and international academic collaboration.

‘We are honored that IEEE selected Baze University as the venue for this prestigious event. This partnership enhances our institution’s global visibility and provides our students and faculty unprecedented access to world-class expertise in connectivity and digital transformation,’ he said.

Chukwuemeka Okafor highlighted that confirmed speakers include senior government officials, CEOs from major telecommunications companies, representatives from development partners, and leading academics specialising in connectivity technologies.

‘We have assembled an extraordinary line up of speakers who will share actionable insights on bridging Africa’s digital divide. This is not just another conference, it’s a platform for shaping policies and forging partnerships that will define Africa’s digital future,’ he emphasised.

Nneoma Offodile, Local Organising Committee Chair, emphasized that the summit would leave a lasting legacy beyond the two-day event.

‘We are committed to ensuring that Nigerian students, particularly those from Baze University, benefit directly from this gathering. The knowledge transfer, networking opportunities, and exposure to global best practices will inspire the next generation of technology leaders,’ she said.

Engr. Abdulateef Aliyu, IEEE Region 8 Representative, noted that the summit demonstrates IEEE’s confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to host world-class international events and positions the country as a strategic hub for technology discourse in Africa.

‘This Summit is a testament to the strength of IEEE Nigeria Section and the quality of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem. We expect participants from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, all coming to learn from African innovations and contribute to scalable connectivity solutions,’ he said.

Professor Ifeayinwa Achumba, IEEE Nigeria Section Chair, emphasised that successful hosting of the CTU EMEA summit enhances Nigeria’s reputation as a technology leader and innovation hub in Africa.

‘When global leaders converge in Abuja next month, they will witness Nigeria’s commitment to digital inclusion, our innovative capacity, and our readiness to lead Africa’s connectivity agenda. This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate that African solutions to connectivity challenges are not only viable but scalable across the continent,’ Professor Achumba said.

The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about the Summit’s success and reaffirming their commitment to seamless collaboration. Follow-up meetings have been scheduled to finalise technical details, conduct facility inspections, and coordinate logistics for the November event.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), founded in 1884, is the world’s largest technical professional organisation with over 423,000 members in more than160 countries. IEEE has been active in Nigeria since 1976, with a robust local chapter comprising engineers, technologists, academics, and students dedicated to advancing technology for humanity.

The Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) programme is IEEE’s flagship initiative addressing the global digital divide through research, innovation challenges, and international summits that bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society.