The African Virologists Network (AVN) is at the forefront of advancing virology research and collaboration across the continent.
Speaking at the 2nd AVN Conference, the Chairman of AVN, Prof. Theophilus Adiku, highlighted the network’s pivotal role in addressing Africa’s unique virology challenges and amplifying its contributions to global health.
The 2nd AVN Conference themed: “Trends in Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses.”
Prof. Adiku emphasized the need for increased government and private sector support to enhance the activities of the AVN, including funding for research, capacity building, and laboratory networks.
He also appealed to policymakers and institutions to partner with the network, ensuring Africa’s voice is represented in shaping global virology priorities.
“Since its founding in 2019, the AVN has fostered collaboration through initiatives like conferences, research partnerships, and mentoring programs. The first African Virology Congress in 2021 set the tone for the network’s mission to empower researchers and promote innovation,” he noted.
The Chairman urged senior virologists to mentor young researchers and expand membership drives to secure the future of virology on the continent.
He expressed optimism that the conference would inspire groundbreaking solutions to advance the field and strengthen Africa’s capacity to address emerging viral threats.
The Chair of the Local Organizing Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Maryam Aminu, highlighted the broader goals of the conference, which included fostering collaborations, empowering African scientists, and building bridges for global partnerships.
“This conference is not just about knowledge sharing but also about empowering African scientists to lead on the global stage.
“Over the next three days, we will engage in a rich array of plenary sessions, oral and poster presentations, and dynamic roundtable discussions. Notably, the special session on Mpox underscores the timeliness and relevance of this conference in addressing emerging health threats,” she added.
Prof. Aminu said the conference is not just about knowledge sharing but it is about building bridges, forging collaborations, and empowering African scientists to lead on the global stage.
“Together, we will explore over 50 oral presentations and 69 poster exhibitions, showcasing groundbreaking research and insights that will shape the future of virology,” she said.
A Renowned virologist and public health expert, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, called for a paradigm shift in addressing Africa’s developmental challenges by prioritizing homegrown solutions over foreign aid dependency.
Prof. Tomori emphasised the need for African nations to reassess their approaches, address inefficiencies, and invest in sustainable initiatives rooted in local contexts.
“Africa is not resource-limited but resource-wasteful and corruption-constrained.”
He stressed that the continent must take ownership of its development journey, saying that Africa’s continued reliance on foreign aid undermines its independence and self-reliance.
“If we continue to see ourselves as handicapped, we will keep begging. We must address inefficiencies, waste, and corruption instead of assuming we lack resources,” he added.
Reflecting on global equity, he highlighted the double standards in international systems, such as vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. He addressed the continent’s struggle to retain talent, citing poor environments that drive professionals abroad.
“We build capacity but fail at retention. It’s our responsibility to create an enabling environment for our people to thrive,” he said.
The WHO Country Representative, Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Molumbo stressed the importance of robust surveillance and collaboration in addressing emerging and re-emerging viral threats.
“Emerging diseases, driven by factors such as climate change and globalization, demand enhanced surveillance, rapid diagnostics, and targeted interventions,” he said.
Dr. Molumbo added that the WHO remains committed to supporting governments in strengthening health systems and ensuring real-time outbreak responses.
He commended Nigeria’s success in eradicating wild polio and urged sustained efforts to combat infectious diseases like MPOX, Yellow Fever, and vaccine-derived polioviruses.
Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, stressed the complexity of managing emerging viruses, which result from the interplay of environmental, societal, and biological factors.
“Surveillance, early detection, vaccine development, prompt response, and international collaboration are critical in addressing the challenges posed by these viruses,” Idris said.
Prof. George Boateng Kyei, Associate Professor and Director of Research at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, highlighted the high prevalence of HIV among teenagers in West Africa, noting the region’s heavy reliance on external donors for educational programmes.
“If such funding were to stop, there would be no HIV education for our communities. This is concerning because, as a region, we do have resources, yet we fail to allocate them effectively for critical needs like education,” Kyei said.
He attributed the lack of timely investment in health education to poor prioritization by West African governments.
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