A groundbreaking effort to combat Nigeria’s alarming newborn mortality rate has taken shape in Ekiti State with the establishment of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI), the first institution of its kind in Nigeria and across Africa dedicated exclusively to newborn health research, innovation and capacity development.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of the centre’s commissioning at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Director of the Centre, Dr. Olufunke Bolaji, described CeNHRI as a strategic intervention aimed at generating evidence-based solutions to one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges — preventable newborn deaths.
Dr. Bolaji noted that Nigeria remains one of the highest contributors to newborn mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, with about 41 out of every 1,000 babies dying within the first month of life.
She explained that the majority of these deaths are caused by preventable factors such as birth asphyxia, prematurity and infections.
According to her, reducing deaths during the critical first month of life would significantly improve child survival rates across the country.
She explained that research would form the foundation of the centre’s activities, stressing that sustainable healthcare innovations and effective government policies must be driven by credible scientific evidence.
According to her, CeNHRI will focus on generating high-quality research data, developing context-specific innovations and translating findings into policies and clinical practices that improve newborn outcomes.
The Director acknowledged improvements already recorded in Ekiti State’s newborn health indicators, revealing that the state’s newborn mortality rate has dropped from about 48 deaths per 1,000 live births to 22 per 1,000 over the past few years through deliberate government interventions.
However, she noted that the figure remains above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030, underscoring the need for accelerated action.
Dr. Bolaji said the centre would work closely with academic institutions, government agencies, healthcare professionals and development partners to bridge existing gaps in newborn health research.
She added that CeNHRI’s location within EKSUTH would facilitate collaboration with researchers and clinicians while maintaining the centre’s operational independence to ensure objective and unbiased research outcomes.
A major component of the facility is a state-of-the-art Skills and Simulation Hub designed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers involved in newborn care.
The hub will provide practical training using modern equipment tailored to Nigeria’s healthcare realities, enabling health professionals to respond effectively during the critical first minutes of a baby’s life.
Highlighting the importance of timely intervention, Dr. Bolaji said newborn care is often measured in minutes rather than hours, noting that a baby’s brain can suffer irreversible damage if deprived of oxygen for just one minute after birth.
She said the centre would train healthcare workers on life-saving skills, quality improvement processes and evidence-based practices capable of reducing preventable deaths and disabilities.
She further stated that CeNHRI would support the development of scalable innovations suited to local healthcare challenges rather than relying solely on imported solutions designed for developed countries with different healthcare realities.
The centre, she said, would focus on interventions that can be effectively deployed within Nigeria and other African countries facing similar newborn health burdens.
Dr. Bolaji expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Government, the Ministry of Health, EKSUTH management and relevant stakeholders for their support in bringing the project to reality.
She described the launch of the centre as the beginning of a long-term mission to transform newborn healthcare across Africa.
According to her, CeNHRI’s vision is to become Africa’s leading centre for newborn health research and innovation by generating evidence, promoting innovation and strengthening healthcare systems to end preventable newborn deaths.
She said the centre’s guiding principle remains “Evidence, Innovation and Every Newborn,” reflecting its commitment to ensuring that every child has a better chance of survival and a healthy start to life.
