Solomon Rotimi

Scientist| In search of the genomics of White-Black disparity in noncommunicable diseases| Fulbrighter

[Federal Ministry of Education @NigEducation]

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
PRESS RELEASE

7 May 2026

FG UNVEILS $500 MILLION ANNUAL RESEARCH FUND TO DRIVE NIGERIA’S KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), a major initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy through sustained investment in research, science, and technology.

The approval was announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, following the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

Describing the initiative as a “game changer,” the Minister explained that the Fund will address fragmentation in Nigeria’s research ecosystem by creating a coordinated framework linking universities, research institutes, industry, and government to national development priorities.

Dr. Alausa disclosed that the Federal Government plans to provide annual funding of up to $500 million, making the NRIDF one of Nigeria’s most ambitious investments in research and innovation.

The Fund will support competitive research grants, strengthen innovation infrastructure, promote commercialisation of research findings, and accelerate human capital development in science and technology.

The NRIDF will operate under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with oversight provided by a 17-member National Council on Research and Innovation chaired by the Vice President.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to innovation-led growth, economic diversification, and job creation through sustained investment in research and development.

Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations

[Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC) @CG_Consortium]

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[Dr. 'Bosun Tijani @bosuntijani]

Today my heart is filled with deep joy as we announce the Expression of Interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters— a ₦12 billion research funding scheme designed to place ideas, evidence, and research at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation.

This programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, our initiative to deploy 90,000km of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy.

As we deepen our digital infrastructure coverage , thoughtful evidence based approaches are required to be deployed in society to ensure everyone benefits from this significant investment.

Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research, evidence, and long-term thinking.

A quote that captures this sentiment comes to mind:

“The state of a society is a reflection of the ideas that dominate it — when good ideas spread, nations prosper; when bad ideas prevail, nations decay.”

Through this programme, Nigeria will establish six national research clusters across key pillars of the digital economy:

• Connectivity, Access, and Meaningful Use
• Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Government
• Digital Skills, Education, and Human Capital
• Digital Economy, Jobs, and Livelihoods
• Trust, Safety, Consumer Protection, and Online Harms
• Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

These research clusters will be led by up to 36 distinguished professors, from 36 Nigerian universities working with international academic partners.

Across the clusters, over 200 researchers, including Postdoctoral Fellows and PhD candidates will generate rigorous, policy-relevant research to guide Nigeria’s digital economy for years to come.

For me, the goal goes beyond research output. We are looking for better policies that lead to stronger institutions and a more prosperous society.

Despite the scale of the other initiatives we are delivering at the Ministry, this is one of the most meaningful to me personally, because it plants seeds that will grow long after any one administration.

If you are part of an academic or research institution committed to producing rigorous, policy-relevant research, you can review the Terms of Reference (TOR) in the EOI we are releasing today here - https://t.co/etYInD7KRR and submit proposals to lead and participate in these national research clusters.

Because nations that lead the future are not simply those that deploy infrastructure — they are the ones that cultivate ideas.

In the coming week, we will host a press conference to further elaborate on this announcement. I encourage Vice-Chancellors of universities across Nigeria to look out for detailed information and engagement opportunities.

#NigerianExcellence

[Federal Ministry of Health, NIGERIA @Fmohnigeria]

FMOHSW Strengthens Collaboration to Advance Cancer Prevention and Care in Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising prevention over cure in cancer control, in line with its mandate to deliver better health outcomes for Nigerians.

Welcoming a delegation from the Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC), led by its Founder, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, the Permanent Secretary, Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, mni, stressed that prevention must be a central pillar in Nigeria’s cancer education strategy.

“It is time we focused more on preventive than curative approaches in cancer education. Prevention should not be seen as an afterthought but as a strategic tool to protect lives and reduce the burden of cancer in Nigeria,” Daju said.

Discussions during the visit explored key areas of collaboration, including:
👉🏾Cancer-specific nutrition to strengthen preventive measures and improve patient outcomes.
👉🏾Research tailored to Africans, bridging evidence gaps as most global studies underrepresent Black populations.
👉🏾Clinical trials in Nigeria, supporting ongoing national efforts to expand research participation and accelerate access to innovative treatments.

CaPTC, a globally recognised non-profit, is dedicated to eliminating prostate cancer disparities, particularly among Black men. The consortium fosters international collaboration, conducts culturally relevant research, and advances knowledge-sharing through conferences and community outreach.

The Ministry described the partnership as a valuable step toward strengthening cancer control under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that prevention, research, innovation, and patient-centred care remain at the core of Nigeria’s health response.

#HealthForAll #RenewedHope #CancerPrevention #MinistryOfHealthNG
@CaPTC7

[NICRAT @NicratGov]

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗚 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶���𝘆, 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗨

The collaboration between the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) and Mayo Clinic in the area of cancer research, clinical care, training and public health has gotten a boost.

This is even as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu and other experts in the cancer space have visited the Mayo Clinic, had strategic meetings, toured their facility and also initiated the process of drafting and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Key research and clinical facilities toured by the Nigerian delegation led by Dr. Salako include Digital Pathology Tissue Registry, Digital Pathology Scanning Suite, Biospecimen Accessioning & Processing Unit, Pathology Research Core and Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester

The MoU will formalize and guide the collaborative efforts in the area of collaborative research initiatives, capacity building, infrastructure development, clinical trials and technology collaboration.

As part of the MoU, teams from Mayo Clinic and NICRAT will convene during the upcoming Science of Advanced Prostate Cancer in Africa (SoAPCA) and NICRAT conferences, scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria later in September 2025.

It would be recalled that on April 8, 2025, the Mayo Clinic extended an invitation letter to the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Malami with the title: Invitation to Attend Strategic Business Meeting at Mayo Clinic, United States.

#NICRAT #MayorClinic #MoU #SoAPCA #collaboration #Research

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

For men who previously faced a bleak future with limited response to conventional therapies, this represents real hope��hope grounded in science that includes African genome.
#CaPTC #AORTIC #CancerGenomics #BlackHealth #BRCA #mCRPC #PrecisionOncology

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

Thrilled to join @Wellcome’s #WhenScienceFindsAWay podcast!

We explored how BRCA/ATM mutations in African men w/ prostate cancer unlock access to PARP inhibitors for mCRPC —where options were once grim.

Listen now https://t.co/Z358YWoIn3

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

When Africa is included, healing begins.

On conversation on this episode hinged on the pionering work of @CaPTC in identirying the enrishment of BRCA1/2 and ATM mutations in prostate tumor of African men. https://t.co/M2aumlo1cH

#CaPTC #AORTIC #CancerGenomics #BlackHealth #BRCA

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

Thank you for paving the way and for your passion, @DrOdedina, in advancing cancer care in Nigeria.
Grateful for the opportunity to facilitate this powerful synergy between @Fmohnigeria, @NicratGov, and @MayoCancerCare.
Thank to the Hon. Minister for your strong commitment

[Prof FTO 🇳🇬🇺🇸 @DrOdedina]

This visit would not have happened without the AMAZING Ms. Farhia Omar, who leads our Global Oncology Initiative. Thanks to Dr. Gladys Asiedu and Ms. Adeline Abbenyi for hosting us. Thanks to @dapsing for facilitating the visit.

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

Thank you very much @DrOdedina for your leadership and for giving up the platform and opportunity to do this. You always inspire us to do the big thing and do it right.

[Prof FTO 🇳🇬🇺🇸 @DrOdedina]

Now this is how it should be done. Congratulations @dapsing and team 🔥🔥🔥

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

Want to collaborate on the next study?
Want to join a cancer genomics-focused training cohort?
Looking for guidance on launching local genomics study or precision oncology intiatives?

Please reach out. Follow @iccareforblackmen, @CaPTC7.

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

But this is bigger than data or just another study—this is a demonstration of African cancer genomic independence required for achieving equity in global precision oncology and cancer control.

[Solomon Rotimi @dapsing]

This is a call to:
• Researchers: Let’s build multi-site African genomics cohorts
• Clinicians: Let’s move toward point-of-care genetic testing
• Funders: Invest in local genomic capacity
• Students: Join our mentorship training tracks