+2348068528936
On October 7, 2024, the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) officially evolved into one of five centres within the newly launched Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH) at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the One Health Genomics Symposium, which also coincided with ACEGID’s 10th anniversary celebration.
Over the past decade, ACEGID has led genomics research in Africa, pioneering pathogen genome sequencing, building genomic capacity, providing evidence for public health interventions to control infectious disease outbreaks, and performing surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious pathogens in Africa. ACEGID’s work in research, teaching, and training has significantly contributed to genomics excellence across the continent.
With the launch of IGH, the institute will broaden its research focus beyond infectious diseases, which remains ACEGID’s core focus. The additional centres within the institute include the International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR), the Human Genome Centre, the Centre for One Health and Zoonotic Diseases Research and Surveillance, and the Centre for Data Science & Virtual Reality.
With these new centres, the institute will go beyond infectious diseases to combat cancers (including prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers), cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, as well as create tools and platforms for high-level data science and virtual reality.
In his remarks, the Founder and Director of IGH, Prof. Christian Happi, expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter, “This change in structure became apparent as we needed to deploy genomics beyond infectious diseases. It is a testament to the firepower available here and possibilities that abound on the continent. We have used genomics to combat several infectious diseases for the last 10 years. Now, it’s time to expand the scope to different other spectra of global health, working towards a healthier world where Africans have a seat at the table and they contribute as major stakeholders and knowledge creators.”
While emphasising the role Dr. Herbert Wigwe (the late CEO of Access Bank) played in the centre’s evolution, Prof. Happi said, “Herbert challenged me to begin to look for solutions to diseases other than the infectious ones. I took up the challenge. Now, we will be working on cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among others.”
"Herbert challenged me to begin to look for solutions to diseases other than the infectious ones. I took up the challenge. Now, we will be working on cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among others."
Operating from the new Institute of Genomics and Global Health campus at the Redeemer’s University, the IGH will push the frontiers of cutting-edge genomics research for public health in Africa, transforming challenges into opportunities; discovering innovative diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and other countermeasures and building capacity for comprehensive prevention and response to disease threats in Africa and the world.
The new facility was conceptualised and built by Build Health International (BHI). It consists of a reception area, BSL 2 & 3 labs, classrooms, a research lab, a student lounge, a conference centre, a cafeteria, a library, and dormitories, amongst other facilities. The Herbert Wigwe Memorial Fountain & Garden lies in an open space in the institute as a constant reminder of Herbert’s dedication to quality education and research, and his strong and steadfast support of ACEGID.
