PACTS at the University of Abuja: Strengthening Systems, Unlocking Opportunities

The University of Abuja welcomed Professor Imelda Bates, co-PI of PACTS and Capacity Strengthening Lead, and Dr. Justin Pulford, both from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In partial fulfilment of its corporate social responsibility to host institutions, they worked with the PACTS Nigeria team to deliver a two-day workshop on “Strengthening Institutional Research Capacity and Safeguarding” for the university’s management team from July 29-30 205.

Over the course of the meeting, the facilitators covered key aspects of building strong research systems, including strategies for successful grant acquisition, the structure and career pathways within a university grants office, the role of research in driving infrastructure development, and the documentation required for inclusion in the Good Research Management Practice database. The sessions were hands-on, with the LSTM team guiding participants through a systematic review of capacity gaps, setting priorities, and identifying quick wins that could be achieved with minimal restructuring and resources.

Safeguarding was also given attention, with practical exercises, case discussions, and a focus on why a safeguarding framework is essential for attracting research funding. PACTS Safeguarding Champion, Ms. Ijeoma Udeozo, shared her own experiences with safeguarding training and expressed her commitment to supporting the university in strengthening its systems in this area.

This workshop demonstrates why universities must take research capacity building seriously and ensure their systems meet the compliance standards expected by major funders. When an institution is positioned to manage grants effectively, it becomes eligible for high-value projects like PACTS—initiatives that not only deliver research outputs but also reinvest directly into the host institution through programmes such as this. By committing to build and maintain strong research systems, they not only meet the requirements of today’s funders but also position themselves to secure the kind of partnerships that will continue to invest in their growth.