The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have launched Nigeria’s first Behavioural Insights Research and Design Laboratory (BIRDLab).
Unveiled at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, the laboratory is the second behavioural insights laboratory in Africa, following Ethiopia’s establishment of a similar centre in 2022. The launch event attracted academics, policymakers, development partners, students and global behavioural science experts, marking a significant milestone in policy innovation and evidence-based development in Nigeria.
The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Network on Behavioural Research for Child Survival in Nigeria (NETBRECSIN), UNICEF and UNILAG.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Foluso Afolabi Lesi, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, at the event, stated that UNILAG’s strategic location is the foundation for the groundbreaking initiative.
He described the institution as home to numerous Centres of Excellence, research institutes, and innovation hubs. Currently at the University of Lagos, we have twenty-three (23) research centres, seven (7) institutes and eight (8) innovation and tech hubs. “Of course, six of those research centres are domiciled within the College of Medicine. So, we are uniquely positioned,” he added.
