Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday inaugurated the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation, CeNHRI, at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, describing it as a milestone in efforts to improve maternal and newborn healthcare.
Speaking at the commissioning, Oyebanji said CeNHRI is the first facility in Nigeria dedicated solely to newborn health. He said it would serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, and clinical excellence to address challenges in neonatal care and reduce infant mortality.
The governor said the centre reflects his administration’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and evidence-based healthcare interventions to improve survival and well-being of mothers and newborns.
He lamented that thousands of African newborns die annually from preventable causes, particularly within the first days of life. He said the facility would serve as a meeting point for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners, and communities to develop practical solutions.
“I am confident that the centre will produce groundbreaking research, train future healthcare professionals, and influence healthcare policies,” Oyebanji said. He thanked development partners for their collaboration in advancing the health sector.
“While this centre is located in Ado-Ekiti, its mission extends far beyond our borders. CeNHRI has been conceived as an Africa-focused institution that will generate knowledge, develop solutions, strengthen health systems, and contribute meaningfully to reducing neonatal mortality across the continent,” he added.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, commended the state government for establishing the centre. He described it as timely, strategic, and transformative, and a bold step to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Pate said the facility reflects the growing recognition that Nigeria must not only consume global health knowledge but also produce it. He said the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring every Nigerian newborn has the opportunity to survive and thrive.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, described the centre as a landmark achievement that positions Ekiti as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery. He said it would enhance clinical practice and training while contributing significantly to reducing neonatal mortality in the state and beyond.
