In display of its commitment to solution-driven research and innovation, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, June 19, 2025, hosted an awareness workshop on Clinical Trials in Underserved Populations: Barriers and Strategies for Inclusion.
The awareness campaign, held at the RICE360 Design Studio, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNILAG, was a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Science, UNILAG and a clinical research organization, NxtCRO.
The Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Olayinka Asekun explained that the awareness workshop, formed part of the Faculty’s efforts to champion research and innovations which speaks directly to societal needs.
According to her, “the gathering provides a timely platform to explore the structural, cultural and logistic barriers that hinders inclusion and more importantly, to identify actionable strategies that can drive ethical and equitable participation in research across all segments of our society.”
Prof. Asekun who was represented by the Director, UNILAG Fabrication Laboratory (UNILAG FAB-LAB), Professor Temitope Onuminya, said the workshop will among other things, help participants understand the risk(s) of inequalities in clinical research.
Resource Persons including the Chief Executive Officer of NxtCRO, Dr. Olabisi Adekoya took turns to address participants on the dangers of under-representation and misrepresentation during clinical trials.
They expressed reservations about some ancient cultural practices that have led to parts of Africa being underserved during clinical trials, and advocated policies and practices that supports inclusion and fairness.
For all the speakers including Dr Adekoya, the consensus was that the general public needed to embrace made-in-Nigeria pharmaceutical products, and be wary of imported products.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Ayomide Oloyede
