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The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has hosted the 4th International Scientific Symposium (ISS 2026), which brought together over 250 researchers, scientists, public health specialists, health business leaders and policy makers to deliberate on utilizing innovative technologies to address public health challenges.

ISS 2026 Chair and IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku said that the gathering was a forum to bring together stakeholders to discuss opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) offers in making progress despite challenges in funding public health research.

“We need to come together to discuss how to utilize innovative tools, the ethics we need to be able to do that, and the policies we have about sharing data. The call to action is that as researchers, we understand the new opportunities that artificial intelligence has presented us.”

She stressed the need for a fusion of efforts between young and established researchers to bring the knowledge of AI and the experience in public health into areas requiring AI application to address public health challenges locally.

“As a collective scientific body, we need to collaborate to support the Government of Nigeria as we understand the national data available and the communities that we protect.”

ISS 2026 Key Note Speaker, one of Africa’s foremost Virologists, Prof Oyewale Tomori, explained that there is a need to take advantage of technology to quicken research processes.

“We can do faster with AI and turn this country around, if we take advantage of all the information available. Efforts are being made by the government but we can get better results for all the efforts they are putting by using AI, not just in disease surveillance but in every aspect even in the social structures and budgeting.”

Prof Tomori added that, “Sometimes, we focus on health, but there are other issues around health like good water supply to reduce water borne diseases, good road infrastructure for quick access to services. This is what AI brings together to give a better option.”

Also at the symposium, a representative from the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr. Saidu Saad, added that, “emerging technologies are playing a big role, we need to understand how to use it appropriately to help us with sustainable healthcare research and funding.”

The two-day symposium held at the IHVN Campus in Abuja from 31st August to 1st September 2026. It featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, abstract presentations, and networking around the theme, “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research: Sustainable Funding, AI/ML and Innovation.”

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 August 2026, IHVN celebrates Temitope Olugbo, Emmanuella N. Emmanuel, Oreoluwa Fawehinmi, Olubunmi Karen Kehinde, Panji Albert Daser, Ene Olong, Dooshima Solomon Jiwul, Haruna Sabo and Ekarika Godwin, whose performance stood out in their teams.

Hearty cheers to our August star performers!

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.

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.”

Register now by clicking the link below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqqEOwRRTAMcalZ3mf9IOhs_ikWTHqj8nyWj0xgInFASyi6A/viewform?usp=header