Senior researchers have identified a combination of regulatory bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and lack of infrastructure as primary reasons Nigeria continues to trail behind other countries in conducting clinical trials. They lamented that despite having a high disease burden and a large population, the country remains underrepresented in global health research.
The researchers, who spoke exclusively with PUNCH HealthWise, noted that without a deliberate strategy to build capacity and invest in research infrastructure, among others, the country will continue to miss out on the health and economic benefits of clinical trials. A Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, stated that while Nigeria’s clinical trial ecosystem has shown some growth, it still lags behind countries such as South Africa and Kenya.
“Worldwide, Nigeria remains underrepresented despite its large, diverse population. While some local institutions are increasingly involved in clinical trials, systemic challenges, including limited infrastructure, funding shortages, and complex regulatory processes, hinder full participation. “However, Nigeria’s demographic and genetic diversity present significant opportunities if these barriers are addressed. With strategic investments and regulatory reforms, Nigeria can position itself as a key player in the global clinical trial space,” the don said.
Ezechi, who is also a Consultant Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, listed the low number of registered clinical trials relative to Nigeria’s population size and disease burden, limited infrastructure for conducting high-quality research, and a scarcity of trained personnel in trial management as key indicators that Nigeria is lagging in clinical trials.
“Regulatory delays and bureaucratic procedures often discourage sponsors from conducting trials locally. Moreover, community mistrust and low awareness about clinical research further impede recruitment and engagement. These factors collectively contribute to Nigeria’s underrepresentation in both continental and global clinical trial domains,” the NIMR senior researcher said.
The Professor of Maternal, Reproductive, and Child Health stated that the growth of clinical trials in the country is being hindered by the low priority accorded to research, a cumbersome regulatory framework with slow approval processes, inadequate research infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel. He said, “Funding remains a critical challenge, with most trials heavily dependent on external sponsors. Ethical and legal concerns, combined with inadequate community engagement and awareness, hinder participation.
“Logistical issues such as unreliable power supply, poor data management systems, and infrastructural deficits further hinder efficient trial conduct. Addressing these systemic issues is critical to fostering a conducive environment for clinical trials in Nigeria.” Additionally, Emeritus Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, Director of the University of Nigeria Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials, stated that Nigeria hosts less than 2 per cent of Africa’s clinical trials.
According to her, while countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya have made notable progress, Nigeria remains underperforming in the clinical trials landscape. “Nigeria, despite being Africa’s most populous country, hosts less than 2% of the continent’s active trials. Globally, our footprint is even smaller. We are rich in human potential but still grappling with weak infrastructure, poor trial culture, and limited industry investment,” the don said.
She listed infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, Lassa fever, and HIV, and non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension as promising areas for clinical trials in Nigeria. Others, she said, include mental health and psychiatry, a rapidly emerging frontier, as well as genomic and precision medicine, particularly among underserved African populations. She added that there is also growing room for trials involving AI in healthcare, telemedicine interventions, and the validation of herbal/traditional medicine. Okoye, a Professor of Radiation Medicine at UNN, pointed out that the country must exploit its genetic diversity and position itself as a powerhouse in global clinical trials.