Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, describing the facility as a major step toward improving maternal and newborn healthcare in Nigeria.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the governor said the centre, believed to be the first facility in Nigeria dedicated exclusively to newborn health research and innovation, would serve as a hub for advanced scientific research, clinical excellence, and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing neonatal mortality.
Oyebanji said the establishment of the centre underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, advancing medical knowledge, and improving survival outcomes for mothers and newborns. He noted that the facility would promote innovation, capacity building, and collaboration among healthcare professionals and researchers working to address challenges affecting neonatal care.
The governor expressed concern over the high number of newborn deaths recorded annually across Africa, many of which result from preventable causes during the first days of life. According to him, the new centre represents a collective response to these challenges through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
He explained that the facility would provide a platform where researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners, and communities can work together to develop practical solutions for improving newborn survival and strengthening healthcare systems.
Oyebanji expressed confidence that the centre would contribute significantly to medical research, train future healthcare professionals, and influence policies aimed at improving newborn health outcomes across Nigeria and the African continent.
He also commended development partners for their continued support of healthcare initiatives in Ekiti State, noting that collaboration remains critical to achieving sustainable improvements in the sector.
Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi described the establishment of the centre as timely, strategic, and transformative.
He said the facility reflects Nigeria’s growing determination to contribute to global health knowledge through locally driven research and innovation. According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.
Oyeniyi expressed optimism that the centre would emerge as a leading institution for newborn health research, generating evidence-based solutions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Oyebanji Filani, praised the governor for prioritizing investments in healthcare infrastructure, research, and human capital development.
He described the centre as a landmark achievement that reinforces Ekiti State’s position as a growing centre of excellence in healthcare delivery. Filani added that the facility would enhance clinical practice, support professional training, and contribute significantly to reducing neonatal mortality while improving health outcomes for mothers and children.
The Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation is expected to serve as a focal point for groundbreaking research, policy development, and healthcare innovation aimed at addressing newborn health challenges in Nigeria and across Africa.
