Challenges and Strategies for Improving Training of Mid-Level Research Personnel in Nigeria.

Contextual research evidence is needed to reduce morbidity and mortality due to chronic but preventable diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is particularly burdened by these diseases despite its academic and research infrastructure. A major impediment to developing robust evidence on sustainable disease prevention and treatment strategies is the lack of skilled research personnel. This study aimed to identify (1) training barriers for research assistants and coordinators and (2) potential strategies to counter these barriers using a Nominal Group Technique (NGT) exercise conducted at the 2017 conference of the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA). A one-hour NGT exercise was conducted with 26 groups of 2-9 persons each (N = 134) drawn from conference attendees. Group members were presented with questions related to the two objectives. Each member was asked to generate, list, discuss and vote on ideas that were eventually ranked by the group. Qualitative Thematic Analysis (QTA) was conducted for the collated responses. The QTA identified 166 training gaps and 147 potential solutions, out of which 104 were ranked. Themes that emerged for gaps included: 1) inadequate mentorship; 2) inadequate training/ lack of organized curriculum; 3) limited access to opportunities for training and employment; 4) lack of government funding; 5) lack of interest, motivation; and 6) lack of research culture. Themes for potential strategies to address the gaps were: 1) trainings/curriculum development; 2) research modules implemented in secondary and tertiary institutions; 3) creating a sustainable forum for research-related questions and answers; and 4) advocating for and accessing more government funding for research training. This study identified actionable strategies that reflect practical realities in implementation research in Nigeria, which can guide government agencies, policy makers, research organizations, and local foundations as they work together to increase research capacity in Nigeria.

Ezeanolue EE ，Iheanacho T ，Patel DV ，Patel S ，Sam-Agudu N ，Obiefune M ，Dakum P ，Okonkwo P ，Olutola A ，Khamofu H ，Oyeledun B ，Aliyu S ，Aina M ，Eyo A ，Oko J ，Akinmurele T ，Oleribe O ，Gebi U ，Aliyu MH ，Sturke R ，Siberry G ... -  《Annals of Global Health》

Gaps and strategies in developing health research capacity: experience from the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance.

Ezeanolue EE ，Menson WNA ，Patel D ，Aarons G ，Olutola A ，Obiefune M ，Dakum P ，Okonkwo P ，Gobir B ，Akinmurele T ，Nwandu A ，Khamofu H ，Oyeledun B ，Aina M ，Eyo A ，Oleribe O ，Ibanga I ，Oko J ，Anyaike C ，Idoko J ，Aliyu MH ，Sturke R ，Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance ... -  《Health Research Policy and Systems》

Opportunities and challenges to integrating mental health into HIV programs in a low- and middle-income country: insights from the Nigeria implementation science Alliance.

Ezeanolue EE ，Iheanacho T ，Adedeji IA ，Itanyi IU ，Olakunde B ，Patel D ，Dakum P ，Okonkwo P ，Akinmurele T ，Obiefune M ，Khamofu H ，Oyeledun B ，Aina M ，Eyo A ，Oleribe O ，Oko J ，Olutola A ，Gobir I ，Aliyu MH ，Aliyu G ，Woelk G ，Aarons G ，Siberry G ，Sturke R ，Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance ... -  《BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH》

Health policy and systems research and analysis in Nigeria: examining health policymakers' and researchers' capacity assets, needs and perspectives in south-east Nigeria.

Uzochukwu B ，Mbachu C ，Onwujekwe O ，Okwuosa C ，Etiaba E ，Nyström ME ，Gilson L ... -  《Health Research Policy and Systems》

Building Sustainable Local Capacity for Global Health Research in West Africa.

Global health research in resource-limited countries has been largely sponsored and led by foreign institutions. Thus, these countries' training capacity and productivity in global health research is limited. Local participation at all levels of global health knowledge generation promotes equitable access to evidence-based solutions. Additionally, leadership inclusive of competent local professionals promotes best outcomes for local contextualization and implementation of successful global health solutions. Among the sub-Saharan African regions, West Africa in particular lags in research infrastructure, productivity, and impact in global health research. In this paper, experts discuss strategies for scaling up West Africa's participation in global health evidence generation using examples from Ghana and Nigeria. We conducted an online and professional network search to identify grants awarded for global health research and research education in Ghana and Nigeria. Principal investigators, global health educators, and representatives of funding institutions were invited to add their knowledge and expertise with regard to strengthening research capacity in West Africa. While there has been some progress in obtaining foreign funding, foreign institutions still dominate local research. Local research funding opportunities in the 2 countries were found to be insufficient, disjointed, poorly sustained, and inadequately publicized, indicating weak infrastructure. As a result, research training programs produce graduates who ultimately fail to launch independent investigator careers because of lack of mentoring and poor infrastructural support. Research funding and training opportunities in Ghana and Nigeria remain inadequate. We recommend systems-level changes in mentoring, collaboration, and funding to drive the global health research agenda in these countries. Additionally, research training programs should be evaluated not only by numbers of individuals graduated but also by numbers of independent investigators and grants funded. Through equitable collaborations, infrastructure, and mentoring, West Africa can match the rest of Africa in impactful global health research.

Sam-Agudu NA ，Paintsil E ，Aliyu MH ，Kwara A ，Ogunsola F ，Afrane YA ，Onoka C ，Awandare GA ，Amponsah G ，Cornelius LJ ，Mendy G ，Sturke R ，Ghansah A ，Siberry GK ，Ezeanolue EE ... -  《Annals of Global Health》