Mon. May 25th, 2026
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About Us

The Nigerian National Health Information System is currently weak and unable to provide the much-needed quality health data required for decision-making. Among many structural and governance barriers, this weakness is also largely due to low data analytics and coordination capacity, as well as the fragmented and disorganised manner of data systems development in the country.

Data analytics can improve health care in different ways. Some of these include; regular monitoring of health outcomes, improving decision support mechanisms, informing policy development, etc. More importantly, policymakers and stakeholders in health with the use of data and analytics will be able to make use of new tools that can provide valuable insight into the health status of the populace, quality of service delivery and financial implications.

This fellowship will inform the next phase of technological and data analytical innovations/inventions to expand on the MSDAT platform for improved healthcare delivery and health system’s monitoring in Nigeria. The objectives of the HDA fellowship are to:

  • Build local capacity for research in health data analytics
  • Support the development of health data platforms, specifically the MSDAT
  • Improve the utilization of the MSDAT platform
  • Use findings to inform Health Information Systems (HIS) policy development
  • Facilitate the publication of research reports in recognized journals

Applicants are encouraged to go through the MSDAT platform: msdat.fmohconnect.gov.ng

We believe that with an improvement on the MSDAT platform, decision-makers and stakeholders alike would have the tools they need for evidence-based decisions, reducing avenues for assumptions resulting from the lack of data in healthcare delivery and service. The ultimate goal is that we achieve universal health coverage and that there is an improvement in the quality of life of Nigerian citizens.

Fellowship Benefits

The benefits of this fellowship include:

  • ₦2,000,000.00 (per fellow) for postgraduate research (including research expenses e.g. equipment, data collection etc)
  • Capacity building in research and health data analytics
  • Possible job opportunities with eHealth4everyone on completion of the fellowship
  • Access to a network of individuals with shared interests
  • Mentorship and support from the administering body. This would translate into the provision of reviews and guidance during the course of their research.
  • Provision of datasets on request.

Eligibility Criteria

Graduates:

To be eligible for this fellowship, the individual must fulfill the following requirements;

  1. Must hold an acceptable form of Identification (i.e. an International passport; Drivers’ license; Voters’ Card, National Identity Number (NIN) card).
  2. Must be a postgraduate student of any accredited University with a valid means of identification.
  3. Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent for Master’s students, and a Master’s degree for PhD students.
  4. Research should support the development and expansion of existing health data analytic platforms, such as the Multi-Source Data Analytics and Triangulation (MSDAT) platform.
  5. The research will prioritise secondary data and goals should be targeted towards improving Nigerian health data and data systems around the following key areas:
    • Health Inputs
    • Health outcomes
    • Health financing
    • Health Workforce
    • Population and demographics
    • Health facility service availability and readiness
    • Service delivery
    • Health Impact
    • Health surveillance

The research goals can be pursued using any of the following approaches;

    • Data Management
    • Visual Analytics
    • Data Mining
    • Data Integration
    • Advanced Analytics
    • Open Data Advocacy
    • Big Data for health
    • Data Demand and use
    • Statistical Modeling of Health Data
    • Health Information System Interoperability
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Machine learning
  • Advanced analytics
  • Open data advocacy
  • Big Data for health
  • Data demand and use
  • Statistical modeling of health data
  • Health Information System Interoperability
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine learning

Method of Apply for the fellowship:

Please read the eligibility section above carefully before applying

  1. Carefully complete each section of the HDA fellowship form(s) and attach the required documents. These include:
      • Official transcripts from Academic Institution,
      • Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
      • Admission letters,
      • Statement of purpose (maximum of 500 words),
      • Research proposal/summary including timelines for execution,
      • Letter of recommendation from Supervisor, Head of Department or Dean;
      • A previously published paper, if available. This would be an added advantage.
  2. A 2-minute video of the applicant explaining their research proposal and motivation, is required.
  3. The HDA fellowship committee will carefully review each proposal and make a final decision. If successful, applicants would be notified (within 8 weeks after the application deadline) that they have been selected to receive the research grant. 
  4. Successful applicants must officially “accept” the offer via an email within a week.

Read more information visit official website: HDA Fellowship

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By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.