Bridging the Biomedical Gap

How Lagos Universities Are Building Tomorrow's Scientists

In Nigeria's bustling heart of Lagos, biomedical researchers wield pipettes and microscopes in labs every day—yet a hidden skills divide threatens to stall the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.

Introduction: The Skills Paradox

Biomedical science drives modern healthcare—from diagnosing diseases to developing vaccines. But in Lagos, Nigeria's economic and educational epicenter, technical staff in public universities grapple with a stark contrast between foundational techniques and cutting-edge methods like genomics and proteomics. A 2011 study revealed that while 95% of staff mastered basic lab skills, over 34% lacked training in proteomics and electrophoresis—techniques routine in global labs 1 . This gap impacts research quality, innovation, and Nigeria's ability to tackle local health challenges like HIV and malaria. As the field advances globally, Lagos institutions race to bridge this divide.

The Biomedical Skills Landscape: Foundations vs. Frontiers

Basic Skills
  • Lab safety
  • Microscopy
  • Sample preparation
  • Data recording

Essential for day-to-day lab function.

State-of-the-Art Skills
  • Genetic sequencing (genomics)
  • Protein analysis (proteomics)
  • Advanced imaging

Critical for drug discovery and personalized medicine 1 2 .

The Lagos Disparity in Numbers

Underinvestment in equipment and training perpetuates this gap. While Lagos boasts top universities like the University of Lagos (ranked 1001–1200 globally), its biomedical programs face funding shortages and staff shortages 4 5 .

Table 1: Skill Proficiency Among Biomedical Staff in Lagos Universities
Skill Category % "Untrained" Staff % "Expert" Staff
General Professional 5% 19.9%
Technical Equipment 16% 17.5%
Genomics 28% 8.5%
Proteomics 34% 5.9%

Source: Comparative Study of Skills in Lagos Public Universities 1

Spotlight: The BRAINS Program—A Case Study in Transformation

The Experiment: Building Skills Through Mentored Research

Objective: Equip junior faculty with advanced biomedical skills via workshops and grants.

Location: College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) 6 .

Methodology: A Five-Year Blueprint

Workshops

12 courses (e.g., Genomics, Bioinformatics) for 1,418 participants (52% female).

Hands-On Training

Lab sessions on electrophoresis, PCR, and bioinformatics tools.

Mentored Research Grants

45 faculty paired with global experts (e.g., from Harvard) to study HIV, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering.

Pre/Post Assessments

Knowledge tests tracked skill acquisition 6 .

Results: Quantifying Success

Table 2: BRAINS Workshop Impact (Selected Metrics)
Course Pre-Test Avg. Score Post-Test Avg. Score Improvement (p-value)
Responsible Conduct of Research 52.1 64.3 p = 0.006
Manuscript Writing 50.0 61.8 p = 0.001

Source: BRAINS Program Evaluation 6

"The mentorship gave me confidence to publish in Nature—a dream I thought was for 'global north' scientists."

BRAINS Grant Recipient 6

The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Reagents and Resources

Table 3: Core Tools for Modern Biomedical Research
Tool/Reagent Function Status in Lagos Labs
PCR Machines Amplifies DNA for disease detection Limited; high maintenance costs
Electrophoresis Gels Separates proteins/DNA by size Available; low usage expertise
CRISPR-Cas9 Kits Gene editing Rare; dependent on grants
Bioinformatics Software Analyzes genetic data (e.g., BLAST) Increasingly integrated

Sources: 1 2 6

PCR Machine
PCR Machines

Essential for DNA amplification but often limited in Lagos labs due to high costs.

Electrophoresis
Electrophoresis

Available but requires more training for optimal usage.

Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics

Growing adoption with increasing digital infrastructure.

The Road Ahead: Sustainable Strategies

Infrastructure Investment

Universities like Ahmadu Bello and Lagos are partnering with firms like Siemens Healthineers to upgrade labs 2 .

Curriculum Reform

Integrating bioinformatics and genomics into degrees at Federal University of Technology, Owerri 2 .

Localizing Training

Hybrid workshops (e.g., BRAINS) reduced costs and increased accessibility post-COVID 6 .

"Our goal isn't just to catch up—it's to leapfrog. Nigerian scientists can solve Nigerian problems."

Professor Folasade Ogunsola (Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos) 5

Conclusion: Skills as the Catalyst

The journey from basic pipetting to CRISPR gene editing is steep—but not insurmountable. Lagos's universities are proving that targeted training, global partnerships, and resilient funding can turn skills gaps into springboards. As one BRAINS alumnus put it:

"We're not just using equipment; we're redesigning it for our needs." 6

The future of Nigerian biomedical science isn't in borrowed lab coats—it's in homegrown expertise.

References