Dr. Basira Kankia Lawal, a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management at Kaduna State University (KASU), has been selected as a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the African HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Health Implementation Research Institute (AFRI-HIGH IRI) Fellowship.
She is among 17 competitively selected fellows from across Africa and the only Nigerian in this prestigious program. The selected fellows have demonstrated a strong commitment to implementation research as part of their career development.
The AFRI-HIGH IRI Fellowship is a collaborative initiative of Washington University in St. Louis, USA; the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; and the University of Zambia. It is designed to enhance expertise in implementation science, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on HIV, infectious diseases, and global health challenges. The fellowship aims to build a strong global network of scientists, researchers, program implementers, and policymakers dedicated to improving health outcomes through implementation science.
As implementation research is still a developing field, the program provides mentorship, peer support, and capacity-building opportunities to help participants advance in their respective institutions. The two-year fellowship offers three key benefits:
1. Training: Fellows undergo one week of intensive on-site training each year, gaining up-to-date knowledge in implementation research, which is directly applicable to research projects and grant applications.
2. Mentoring: Participants receive expert guidance from AFRI-HIGH IRI faculty, expanding their professional networks and strengthening their research skills.
3. Networking, Partnerships, and Collaborations: The fellowship fosters long-term professional relationships that support career growth and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The first training session for this year took place from Sunday, March 2, to Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Ciêla Resort and Spa in Lusaka, Zambia. In addition to in-person training, fellows have been grouped into mentoring pods consisting of peers and mentors to continue their engagement through virtual sessions.
Dr. Lawal looks forward to leveraging insights gained from the fellowship and collaborating with her program mentor, Dr. Halima Bello-Manga of KASU’s College of Medicine, to establish an implementation science hub at KASU.
Her selection for this esteemed fellowship highlights KASU’s growing reputation in research and academia, positioning the institution as a key player in advancing global health solutions through implementation science.