Yakubu Gowon University, Global Partners Secure £5m Grant to Boost Sickle Cell Research in Africa

Yakubu Gowon University—formerly the University of Abuja—alongside international partners, has secured over £5 million in funding to strengthen sickle cell disease (SCD) research across sub-Saharan Africa.

The announcement was made by Professor Obiageli Nnodu, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Research and Training (CESTRA), during a workshop hosted by the university on Tuesday. The event, themed “Strengthening Institutional Research Capacity and Safeguarding”, was organised in collaboration with the PACTS programme of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Prof. Nnodu, who also leads the Centre for Sponsored Projects at the university and serves as Co-Principal Investigator for PACTS, said the initiative is designed to build the capacity of African institutions to conduct high-quality research in sickle cell disease.

“Research plays a crucial role in national development. African institutions need the infrastructure and training to not only secure grants but to effectively manage research, report findings, and translate them into policies,” she said.

Highlighting the university’s progress, Nnodu noted a significant rise in research grants awarded over the past four years. However, she emphasized the need for faculty members to be trained to participate actively in funded research projects.

The £5 million project includes partnerships with institutions in Ghana, Zambia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Health and Allied Sciences, the University of Zambia Teaching Hospital, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Patricia Lar, represented by Prof. Rhoda Mundi, praised the initiative as a critical step in addressing the sickle cell burden in Nigeria and beyond.

“This programme marks a significant step in our mission to improve research standards and address a major public health issue that affects millions across the region,” she said.

Prof. Imelda Bates, Principal Investigator for the PACTS project, described the research as transformative, noting that it is centered around patients’ experiences and needs.

“This is a novel approach—we begin by listening to patients and tailor our research to their lived realities,” Bates said. She emphasized Nigeria’s central role in the project, citing its status as the country with the largest population of individuals living with sickle cell disease globally.

Bates also shared some early findings, noting that many affected families struggle to afford nutritious food, healthcare, and transportation to medical facilities. She added that reliance on traditional remedies often delays effective treatment, worsening health outcomes.

“Patients often spend hours in hospitals navigating long queues, undergoing tests, and trying to access medications. This delay not only affects their health but also adds financial strain,” she said, highlighting the need for systemic solutions.

The initiative aims to provide research-driven answers to these challenges and ultimately improve the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease across Africa.