The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), one of Nigeria’s foremost research institutions, is grappling with a potential power outage due to an unpaid electricity bill of N38 million.
This is even as the institute, which plays a crucial role in advancing medical science and combating diseases, relies heavily on foreign donors for 95 per cent of its funding, raising concerns about the sustainability of its operations.
The director-general and chief executive officer, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, raised the alarm during a press briefing yesterday in Lagos.
The DG disclosed that the electricity supplier, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has repeatedly warned of imminent disconnection due to the outstanding amount. He said this poses a significant threat to ongoing research activities and essential operations at NIMR.
“When I assumed office, I inherited a backlog of about N38 million in electricity debt. While we’ve managed to pay subsequent bills with the help of foreign donors, this lingering debt remains a challenge. The lack of a functional electricity metre compounds the issue, despite several appeals to EKEDC,” Obafunwa stated.
He further emphasised that NIMR’s research activities depend heavily on uninterrupted power supply, as the institute develops diagnostic kits for diseases such as COVID-19, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and monkeypox.
However, 95 percent of the institute’s funding comes from international donors like the WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other global partners, leaving little room for addressing local health priorities.
The DG called for increased domestic funding to support research into pressing health challenges in Nigeria, including non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and chronic renal conditions. “We need to focus on health issues specific to Nigerians, including genetic predispositions to certain diseases and the impact of our environment on health outcomes,” he said.
Obafunwa also appealed for the inclusion of medical research institutes like NIMR in the federal government’s 50 percent electricity rebate currently provided to hospitals and universities. “Research institutes require power just as much as hospitals. Without electricity, our work stalls, affecting not only our researchers but the health outcomes of the entire nation,” he added.
The DG stressed that the institute is also seeking partnerships with private sector investors to commercialise its diagnostic tools, reduce dependence on imports, and conserve foreign exchange while calling for a recalibration of funding sources to prioritise local research that aligns with Nigeria’s unique health challenges.
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