Policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments

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ACEGID’s Role in Nigeria’s First Ebola Case and Policy-Focused Research Collaboration with Government Agencies

Today, July 23, 2023 makes it nine years since the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) at Redeemer’s University confirmed Nigeria’s first Ebola case, preventing a devastating outbreak. Led by Prof. Christian Happi, the team took only six hours to confirm the virus, just before the massive Redeemed Christian Church of God Annual Congress, which had over 3 million attendees. This breakthrough marked a significant achievement for the newly established ACEGID, which collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to track and isolate contacts, ultimately containing the outbreak within 93 days.

With critical support from funders such as the National Institutes of Health and the World Bank, ACEGID had established infrastructure for infectious disease research just months before the outbreak. Their rapid response efforts, despite limited resources at the time, prevented a global health disaster. This pivotal moment set the stage for ACEGID’s continued leadership in infectious disease genomics and public health.

In the nine years since, ACEGID has been at the forefront of public health, extending its research to diseases such as Lassa fever, Yellow fever, Mpox, and COVID-19. Over 1,300 scientists have been trained through the center, contributing to the growing network of African researchers dedicated to advancing genomic research on infectious diseases. ACEGID also engages in policy-focused research, working closely with Nigerian government departments to influence health policy and guide public health responses. Their collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other key government bodies continues to ensure that their research supports effective policy-making and disease prevention efforts across Africa.

These achievements reflect Redeemer’s University’s deep commitment to policy-driven research and impactful public health collaboration, ensuring the university plays a central role in safeguarding not just Nigeria but the wider world from future health threats.



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