Establishment of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI)
Background
Nigeria continues to face a significant burden of newborn mortality, yet lacked a dedicated institution focused on research, innovation, and policy for newborn survival. With Gates Foundation support, ACE Initiative for Social Impact and Development (AISID) led the establishment of Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti , transforming it from an incubation concept into a fully operational national centre of excellence.
Our Approach
AISID led a structured incubation covering governance and legal establishment, infrastructure development, organizational systems, communications and visibility, staffing, research strategy, and partnership-building which culminated in the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI’) national launch. This included legal incorporation, establishing a Governing Board, renovating and equipping a purpose-built research and simulation facility, and building the Centre’s digital and institutional brand.
Our Impact
- Transitioned from concept to a legally constituted, operational institution in 5 months
- 7-member Governing Board established; incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee
- Unused facility transformed into a fully equipped research and training centre, including a state-of-the-art Simulation and Skills Hub
- Official website and social platforms launched, generating nationwide recognition within the Centre’s first months
- Formal partnerships established with EKSUTH and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI)
Five months separated an unused facility from a fully licensed, staffed, and nationally launched research centre. Few organizations can run governance, infrastructure, and communications workstreams in parallel at this pace, which is what makes AISID’s model repeatable for future centres of excellence.
Partners: Ekiti State Government | Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) | Gates Foundation