The International Research Center of Excellence at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has announced its readiness to host its 4th Annual Scientific Symposium from 31st August to 1st September 2026 at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.
IRCE Executive Director and Chair of the Scientific Symposium, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku pointed out that the scientific gathering will focus on the theme, “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research through Sustainable Funding, Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) and Innovation.”
“Across the past three annual symposia, our goal has been to stimulate discourse on the position of Nigeria in addressing local public health challenges and its place in global health. Our symposia continue to challenge Nigerian researchers and scientists to use their science and innovation coupled with new technologies to usher in a bright future for our continent.
During this year’s symposium, we will be discussing how advances in AI/ML can provide tangible solutions to our everyday public health services and research for a more sustainable and efficient Nigeria that contributes meaningfully to the global health program.”
She disclosed that the symposium’s keynote address will be given by Prof. Oyewole Tomori, one of Africa’s foremost virologists and globally respected authority on infectious diseases, epidemic preparedness and global health security “who has never shied away from charging us all to stop the wastage and stealing to build a sustainable Nigeria.”
Other highlights include sessions on enhanced gene sequencing for surveillance, cross border data sharing, the role of virology in strengthening global health security, ethics of data science amongst others. The audience include policy experts, health industry leaders, public health professionals, health workers, and researchers. A team of renowned speakers from within and outside Nigeria will speak extensively on the theme.
The symposium is an opportunity to network, share and breed ideas that will improve research and health care for Nigerians. It provides a platform for young researchers to participate and build skills required for ground-breaking research in the country.
The IRCE Executive Director also revealed that this year’s symposium activities include a novel pre-symposium hackathon, for public health researchers, health care professionals, artificial intelligence and machine learning engineers, data scientists and software designers to try out some AI tools.
“This innovation and the consistent investment of IHVN into research involving the youth is to ensure that we are building and shaping the future for a healthy and responsive public health system for our country,” according to IHVN’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum.
Executive Director of the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku addressing the media at a press briefing to announce the 4th Annual IRCE Scientific Symposium at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.
In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognize “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”
According to Dr. Olu Alabi, the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, this recognition encompasses overall employee performance in areas such as dress code, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership, interpersonal skills, punctuality, and adherence to company values and principles, among other factors.
For July 2026, IHVN celebrates Ademola Blessing Ajayi, Clare Ohunayo, Anzaku Abbas Abel, Ayomide Olumefun, Barine Mark Jones, Folake Arowosola and Salisu Haruna, whose performance stood out in their teams. Hearty cheers to our July star performers!
Researchers, policy makers, public health experts, health workers and students, within and outside Nigeria can still register for the 4th IRCE Annual Scientific Symposium to hold from 31st August to 1st September 2026 at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.
This year, the symposium is themed, “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research, Sustainable Funding, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and Innovation.”
The symposium has been held yearly since 2023 with researchers exploring themes such as “Expanding Partnerships to Sickle Cell Disease and Cancer Research,” “Addressing Local Health Challenges through Quality Research and Partnerships” and “Combating Viral Threats Through Public Health Response and Research.”
In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognize “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”
According to Dr. Olu Alabi, the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, this recognition encompasses overall employee performance in areas such as dress code, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership, interpersonal skills, punctuality, and adherence to company values and principles, among other factors.
For June 2026, IHVN celebrates Shokunbi Busayo Stephen, Clare Ohunayo. Faithful Dike. Ayomide Olumefun. Ritnen Gomwalk. Rindap Ponfa Christopher. Amanda Amarachi Akah, Peter Inusa, Hussaini Sadiq Abubakar and Ibrahim Adamu, whose performance stood out in their teams.
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), through its International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), has announced the launch of a research study to understand how Lassa fever survivors fight and overcome Lassa virus (LASV) infection.
The study, titled “Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria”, is a collaboration between IHVN-IRCE, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi State, and the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Despite being endemic in West Africa for several decades with high case fatality rates, critical gaps remain in our understanding of how natural infection confers immunity in those that survive Lassa Fever, and how vaccine development can benefit from such knowledge. This 12-month collaborative study will seek to generate deeper insight into natural immunity following infection. The data generated will serve as a critical reference point for ongoing and future Lassa fever vaccine trials.
This study will also work with communities to minimize known risk factors and establish a repository of clinical data and biological samples — a valuable long-term scientific resource for the research community. This work will leverage ATBUTH’s and IHVN’s existing world-class laboratory infrastructure. The infrastructure includes its ISO 15189:2022 accredited laboratory in Jos, Plateau State (PLASVIREC), the Institute’s regional biorepository facility (I-HAB) located on the IHVN campus in Abuja and ATBUTH’s molecular diagnostic laboratory- Molecular Genetics and Infectious Disease Research Laboratory.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, the Nigerian Principal Investigator and Executive director of IHVN-IRCE stated: “This study represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to better work with communities to reduce behaviors and exposures that increase the risk of Lassa virus infection. By studying Lassa fever survivors in Nigeria, we are generating locally grounded evidence that will directly inform vaccine development and ultimately save lives.”
The research reflects IHVN’s enduring commitment to advancing health through science, strengthening in-country research capacity, and ensuring that African populations are active participants in and beneficiaries of the knowledge generated through research.
Prof. Yusuf Bara Jibril, the Chief Medical Officer of ATBUTH highlighted the importance of this study for communities like his in Bauchi that have experienced a surge of Lassa fever cases since November 2026: “Our communities need to be sensitized about Lassa fever and how to protect themselves from getting infected. A Lassa fever vaccine is even more relevant and important now and we as a teaching hospital for the state will continue to partner to make this a reality for our people”.
Dr. Suleiman Yusuf, the Lead Collaborator at ATBUTH commented: “Bauchi State has the clinical and laboratory infrastructure to contribute to knowledge that will lead to prevention and treatment of Lassa Fever. In addition, my institution has a long-term relationship with communities to ensure that knowledge on how to prevent Lassa fever transmission is sustained in each community and that health workers recognize clinical symptoms of Lassa for prompt intervention.”
“We are excited to collaborate with colleagues in Nigeria and contribute to global efforts to develop effective vaccines against Lassa fever” says Dr. Justin Ortiz, Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health in Baltimore, USA, and a Co-investigator of the study.
“Studying the natural immune responses of Lassa fever survivors may help identify immune pathways and markers associated with recovery and protection following infection. These findings can provide important scientific context for ongoing efforts to design and evaluate future Lassa fever vaccines” says Matthias J. Schnell, PhD, Director of the Jefferson Center for Vaccines and Pandemic Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Schnell is the Principal Investigator of the parent NIH contract and the Inventor of a Lassa fever vaccine candidate.
Lassa fever remains one of the most significant and persistent public health threats in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa where it is endemic. It is a zoonotic disease caused by the Lassa virus, an Old World arenavirus whose primary host is the rat referred to as Mastomys natalensis. Transmission to humans occurs primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or feces.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has already reported a case fatality rate of 25.1% in the year 2026 with outbreaks across 21 of Nigeria’s 37 states and 85% of cases concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states. There is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever although there are several efforts including that by CEPI to find an effective vaccine against Lassa.
Executive Director International Research Center of Excellence and Nigerian Principal Investigator of the Lassa Fevers Survivors Study, Professor Alash’le Abimiku addressing journalists at a press briefing to announce the research study in Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.Representatives from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and Bauchi State Government interacting with the press at a briefing to announce the 12-month Lassa Fever Survivors Research Study.Chief Medical Officer of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Bara Jibril welcoming the press and stakeholders to the press briefing in Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
