Nigerian Institute of Medical Research

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria is the apex medical research institute in Nigeria. Until the establishment of National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) in Abuja, it was the only institute in the country specifically dedicated for medical research. The institute has five research divisions, three support divisions and other essential units.

The mandate of the institute under the enabling Acts of 1977, stipulates that it shall conduct research into diseases and problems of public health importance in the country. Professor Innocent Ujah mni, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist is the present Director General. He took over the mantle of leadership in June 2010. The immediate past Director General, Dr. Oni Idigbe, a medical microbiologist completed a two term of 8 years in 2008.

Research divisions

The research divisions are Biochemistry, Clinical Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular biology and genetics, and Public Health. It also has two specialized units: Antiretroviral Clinic supported by the Havard School of Public Health funded APIN/PEPFAR programme and Human Virology Laboratory, for the management of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Institutional Mandate.

Communicable Diseases of Public Health importance.
Non Communicable Diseases prevalent in the country.
Basic, applied and operational research for the prevention and control of disease endemic in the country in co-operation with the Federal and State Ministries of Health.
Provision of facilities for clinical and biomedical research in collaboration with medical schools, universities and other health-related institutions, in and outside Nigeria
Dissemination of the results of health research in the country through training courses, scientific publications and other communication channels to the Federal and States Ministries of Health, as well as relevant bodies in both the Public and Private sectors.

Research Activities.

The research activities in the institute are grouped into six programmes area of HIV/AIDS ( Leader: Prof. Oni Idigbe), Malaria (Leader: Dr PU Agomo), Neglected Tropical Diseases (Leader: Dr. MA Mafe), Tuberculosis ( Leader: Dr. A. Adeiga), Non Communicable diseases (Leader: Dr. NN Odunukwe) and Sexual, Reproductive and Childhood diseases Research (Leader: Dr. OC Ezechi). Other senior research staff includes Dr. OP Akinwale ( NTD), Dr. S Smith ( Molecular Biology), Dr S Awolola (Entmology), Dr N Idika ( Diarrhoeal diseases), Dr. RA Audu (Virology), Dr. DI Onwujekwu (TB)