VC counsels MDAs, N’Assembly on evidence-based policies

The Vice-Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Prof. Jesse Uneke, has advocated for the integration of evidence-based public policies among members of the National Assembly; Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government; members of the organized private sector; and other critical stakeholders.

This was as he urged relevant stakeholders to enshrine ‘evidence-synthesis reports’ in informing organizational policy and programmatic decisions, stressing there was a need for Nigeria to shift focus from strengthening individual capacity to delivering goals and mandates.

Uneke, who doubles as the Founder of the African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems, reiterated the need for the development of the technical capacity of middle and senior-level policymakers on the use of context-specific evidence to support policy-making in the nation’s MDAs.

He said, “This event marks the commencement of a series of training targeted at developing the capacity of the policymakers in evidence-informed policymaking.

“At the group deliberations, participants pointed out the barriers to evidence-informed policy-making processes in their various ministries and agencies. They appreciated the capacity strengthening they received and pledged to do their best in applying what they have learned so far.

“I commend TetFund for supporting research projects in Nigerian universities. I am making a case for TetFund to liaise with MDAs to identify their areas of policy priorities and commission research in those areas within the universities.”