Yakubu Gowon University, previously known as the University of Abuja, has taken a major step forward in tackling the widespread burden of sickle cell disease across Africa. The institution, in collaboration with several international partners, has secured over £5 million in research funding to boost sickle cell studies and improve healthcare outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.

This development was announced during the “Patient-Centred Sickle Cell Disease Management in Sub-Saharan Africa” workshop held at the university. The programme was organised by the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Research and Training (CESTRA), in conjunction with the PACTS Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

The theme of the event, “Strengthening Institutional Research Capacity and Safeguarding,” highlighted the urgent need to expand and reinforce research capabilities within African academic institutions.

Strengthening Capacity for World-Class Research

Speaking at the workshop, Professor Obiageli Nnodu, the Director of CESTRA and head of the university’s Centre for Sponsored Projects, emphasized the importance of building robust research systems within African institutions. According to her, capacity development is vital to ensure universities can not only win competitive research grants but also effectively implement, monitor, and apply research outcomes to policy and society.

“Research is a very important vehicle for national development. It is essential for African institutions to strengthen their capacity through training and putting the right infrastructure in place,” she said.

Professor Nnodu explained that the project’s primary goal is to enhance the research capacity of participating African institutions, enabling them to undertake innovative, large-scale studies that can generate real-world impact, especially in the area of sickle cell disease.

She revealed that this collaborative project includes leading institutions in Ghana, Zambia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The partners involved are the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana, and the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia.

“So, this grant is over £5 million and it’s a collaborative project being carried out with reputable institutions across multiple countries,” she added.

Institutional Commitment to Public Health

In her remarks, the acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Professor Patricia Lar, reiterated the institution’s dedication to health research and public health. Represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Academic Matters, Professor Rhoda Mundi, she noted that the university considers this workshop a landmark moment in its ongoing efforts to strengthen research excellence and tackle public health challenges.

“This workshop represents a key moment in our shared commitment to advancing research excellence, particularly in the fight against sickle cell disease, which is a major public health challenge in Nigeria and across the sub-Saharan region,” she declared.

Professor Lar also emphasized that institutions aiming to bring about long-term, evidence-based solutions to public health issues must prioritize research capacity building. She encouraged the participants to use the workshop as a platform to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and work toward enhancing health outcomes not just in Nigeria but throughout Africa.

A Transformative, Patient-Centred Approach

Professor Imelda Bates, the Principal Investigator for the PACTS project, described the research initiative as transformative. She stressed that the project’s patient-centred approach marked a significant shift in the way sickle cell disease research is being conducted in Africa.

“This is a totally new approach to research because it places patients at the centre. We start by listening to their problems and then tailor our research to address those specific issues,” she explained.

Professor Bates added that Nigeria remains the ideal location for such a study due to its high prevalence of sickle cell disease. With the country hosting the largest global population of individuals affected by the condition, the need for effective management strategies is both urgent and unavoidable.

Early Findings and the Reality on the Ground

According to Professor Bates, the project has already revealed critical barriers that families of sickle cell patients face in managing the disease. One of the key findings shows that many affected families struggle to afford nutritious food and adopt healthy lifestyles—both of which are crucial for managing the disease effectively.

She pointed out that families often have more than one child living with sickle cell disease, which significantly increases healthcare costs. As a result, many parents find it difficult to pay for transportation to clinics, purchase medication, or ensure proper education for their children.

In some cases, families are turning to traditional remedies as a first line of treatment. While this might be rooted in cultural beliefs or affordability, it often delays appropriate care, worsening the condition and increasing the risk of complications.

“We found that many patients start off using herbal remedies before going to hospitals. This leads to a delay in getting proper treatment. Sometimes, they need critical interventions like blood transfusions, which traditional medicine cannot provide,” she stated.

Another major concern raised by the study is the inefficiency within health facilities. Many patients, after arriving at clinics, endure long wait times at various service points—waiting to see nurses, undergoing lab tests, collecting medications, and so on. These delays not only cost money but also place additional stress on patients and their families.

Seeking Solutions to Improve Lives

In response to these challenges, the research team is actively working to identify and implement solutions that could reduce the burden of care on affected families. According to Professor Bates, the project aims to develop sustainable models that will address core issues such as treatment access, healthcare affordability, and efficient service delivery.

By prioritizing patient voices and incorporating their experiences into the research process, the initiative seeks to improve the quality of care, make services more accessible, and ultimately reduce the social and economic impact of the disease.

A Step Towards a Healthier Africa

This £5 million funding boost represents a significant milestone for Yakubu Gowon University and its partners. Not only does it underline the institution’s growing role in international research collaboration, but it also reaffirms the need for African-led solutions to African health challenges.

Through this project, African researchers and institutions are proving that they can lead the way in generating evidence-based policies, improving healthcare delivery, and building systems that respond directly to the needs of their populations.

As the battle against sickle cell disease continues, initiatives like this offer hope—not only to patients but also to families, communities, and healthcare systems across the continent. With the right support, collaboration, and commitment, a future where sickle cell disease is better understood, better managed, and ultimately reduced is well within reach.