The Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) is today, at State House, Abuja, launching Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg) to fund and advance impactful research and innovations in health, food systems, and development in Nigeria.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation at more than 230 million inhabitants, confronts some of the most urgent health and development challenges in the world. GCNg represents a transformative initiative poised to catalyse significant advancements in public health and sustainable development across Nigeria. Implemented by the NSN, GCNg aims to integrate innovative solutions into the fabric of Nigeria’s national strategy to address critical health and development issues.
Starting in 2010, partners in many countries began to establish Grand Challenges initiatives – including in Brazil, India, South Africa and a pan-African programme, among many others. These initiatives work independently and together as part of the Grand Challenges Network of partners, who use the GC model to accomplish dual objectives: identifying and supporting innovative solutions to the world’s toughest challenges, while at the same time fostering and strengthening innovation ecosystems in places where it will have the most impact. Together, the GC Network seeks to intentionally build and strengthen communities of innovation funders, and support and connect grantees to a global network that boosts their potential. Grand Challenges also offers a model that other funders and governments – particularly those in low-middle-income countries can use to dedicate more resources to scientific discovery and innovation in health and development. This approach fosters scientific collaboration at local, regional, and global levels, supporting an ecosystem of interconnected researchers and innovators.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON will, in the company of the Honourable Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, launch the GCNg initiative and announce the first GCNg Request for Proposals (RFP) for funding grants. This announcement is made in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), FHI360, Dalberg Global Development Advisory, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation. These government, non-governmental, industry and private sector partnerships ensure that GCNg aligns with national priorities and builds on Nigeria’s existing capabilities in science and innovation.
“I am excited about the opportunities unlocked by the launch of Grand Challenges Nigeria. A thriving ecosystem in health, nutrition, and food systems is not just ideal but necessary for Nigeria’s progress. Collaborating with partners who are committed to driving innovation in these critical areas gives us the chance to secure a healthier, more equitable future for all Nigerians,” Mrs Uju Vanstasia Anwukah, Special Assistant to the President on Public Health
A request for proposals (RFP) whose theme is: “Advancing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health,” GCNg seeks to identify and support innovative, scalable ideas and interventions that leverage local contexts to address critical challenges in maternal, newborn, and child health, ultimately prioritising human health and development is also being issued alongside the launch. This RFP will provide seed grant funding up to Nigerian Naira 60 million per grant for a 12 to 15-month project implementation period. The final grant amount awarded will be determined based on the specific needs, scope, and proposed budget of the project. Applicants are encouraged to submit realistic budget proposals that reflect the actual costs required to achieve their project goals. A maximum of ten (10) projects will be funded.
“At the heart of this project is our commitment to ensuring that the solutions we develop are inclusive and equitable, bringing together public and private sectors, academia, community stakeholders, and other key players. We look forward to working closely with the community of Grand Challenges national programs in Africa including GC South Africa, GC Rwanda, GC Ethiopia, the pan-Africa GC program, and other GC programs around the world to support our community of grantees and accelerate scientific progress,” said Professor Salisu Maiwada Abubakar, FNSN, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria
“We recognise that incremental change is not enough; Nigeria requires transformative, science-driven solutions capable of achieving meaningful impact at scale. We aim to create opportunities for locally grounded, multidisciplinary solutions, ensuring that investments not only address critical gaps but also build upon and amplify the successes of ongoing initiatives,” said Professor Folake Samuel PhD (Ib), FNSN, FPMA-UK, Program Director and Technical Lead, Grand Challenges Nigeria.
As the seventh African country to join the Grand Challenges family — after Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa —, Nigeria is poised to leverage innovative solutions to tackle some of its most pressing health challenges. “We are thrilled to welcome Grand Challenges Nigeria into the global and African network,” said Prof Tom Kariuki, CEO of Science for Africa Foundation. “This initiative not only signifies Nigeria’s commitment to advancing health solutions but also reinforces our collective goal of fostering innovation across the continent.”
To find out more about the RFP, click here
