Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday commissioned a state-of-the-art Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. He described the facility as a major milestone in his administration’s effort to improve maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the state and the country at large.
First of Its Kind in Nigeria
Speaking while commissioning the facility, the first in Nigeria focusing solely on newborns, Oyebanji said the centre would serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, and clinical excellence. It aims to address challenges associated with neonatal care and reduce infant mortality rates in the state and beyond.
Oyebanji maintained that the facility reflects his government’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and reducing neonatal mortality. He added that the centre will serve as a platform for innovation, research, capacity building, and evidence-based healthcare interventions aimed at improving the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns.
Addressing Preventable Newborn Deaths
The governor lamented that thousands of African newborns die yearly from preventable causes, particularly within the first few days of life. He said the centre represents a collective response to these challenges through science, innovation, and collaboration. According to him, the facility will serve as a meeting point for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners, and communities to work together and develop practical solutions that save lives.
Oyebanji expressed confidence that the centre would soon produce groundbreaking research, train future generations of healthcare professionals, and influence healthcare policies. He thanked the state’s development partners for their collaborations in advancing the health sector.
A Milestone for Healthcare
“Today marks another significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, advance scientific knowledge, and improve the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns across Nigeria and the African continent,” Oyebanji said.
“While this centre is located in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state, its mission extends far beyond our borders. The Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation has been deliberately conceived as an African-focused institution that will generate knowledge, develop solutions, strengthen health systems, and contribute meaningfully to a remarkable reduction in neonatal mortality across the continent,” he added.
Federal Government Commends Initiative
Earlier in his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohamed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, commended Oyebanji and the state government for establishing the centre. He described it as timely, strategic, and transformative. The minister noted that the facility represents a bold step in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving outcomes for mothers and newborns in Nigeria.
He said the facility reflects the growing recognition that Nigeria must not only consume global health knowledge but also produce it. The minister added that the Federal Ministry of Health remains firmly committed to reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring that every Nigerian newborn has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and reach full developmental potential.
Commissioner Highlights Impact
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, thanked the governor for his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through strategic investment in infrastructure, research, and human capital development. He commended the governor for his visionary and consistent support for initiatives aimed at improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in the state.
Describing the facility as a landmark achievement that reflects the administration’s effort to position Ekiti as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, the commissioner said the centre would not only enhance clinical practice and training but also contribute significantly to reducing neonatal mortality and improving overall health outcomes for mothers and children in the state and beyond.
