The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has hosted the 4th International Scientific Symposium (ISS 2026), which brought together over 250 researchers, scientists, public health specialists, health business leaders and policy makers to deliberate on utilizing innovative technologies to address public health challenges.
ISS 2026 Chair and IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku said that the gathering was a forum to bring together stakeholders to discuss opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) offers in making progress despite challenges in funding public health research.
“We need to come together to discuss how to utilize innovative tools, the ethics we need to be able to do that, and the policies we have about sharing data. The call to action is that as researchers, we understand the new opportunities that artificial intelligence has presented us.”
She stressed the need for a fusion of efforts between young and established researchers to bring the knowledge of AI and the experience in public health into areas requiring AI application to address public health challenges locally.
“As a collective scientific body, we need to collaborate to support the Government of Nigeria as we understand the national data available and the communities that we protect.”
ISS 2026 Key Note Speaker, one of Africa’s foremost Virologists, Prof Oyewale Tomori, explained that there is a need to take advantage of technology to quicken research processes.
“We can do faster with AI and turn this country around, if we take advantage of all the information available. Efforts are being made by the government but we can get better results for all the efforts they are putting by using AI, not just in disease surveillance but in every aspect even in the social structures and budgeting.”
Prof Tomori added that, “Sometimes, we focus on health, but there are other issues around health like good water supply to reduce water borne diseases, good road infrastructure for quick access to services. This is what AI brings together to give a better option.”
Also at the symposium, a representative from the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr. Saidu Saad, added that, “emerging technologies are playing a big role, we need to understand how to use it appropriately to help us with sustainable healthcare research and funding.”
The two-day symposium held at the IHVN Campus in Abuja from 31st August to 1st September 2026. It featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, abstract presentations, and networking around the theme, “Shaping the Future of Public Health Research: Sustainable Funding, AI/ML and Innovation.”
