In a significant step towards reshaping child development policy and practice in Nigeria, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched the Behavioural Insights Research and Design Laboratory (BIRDLab) on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Unveiled at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, the laboratory is the second behavioural insights laboratory in Africa, following Ethiopia’s establishment of a similar centre in 2022. The launch event attracted academics, policymakers, development partners, students and global behavioural science experts, marking a significant milestone in policy innovation and evidence-based development in Nigeria.
The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Network on Behavioural Research for Child Survival in Nigeria (NETBRECSIN), UNICEF and UNILAG.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi Lesi, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, at the event, highlighted UNILAG’s strategic position as location of the groundbreaking initiative. He described the institution as home to numerous Centres of Excellence, research institutes, and innovation hubs.
His words: ‘’Currently at the University of Lagos, we have twenty three (23) research centres, seven (7) institutes and eight (8) innovation and tech hubs. Of course, six (6) of those research centres are domiciled within the College of Medicine. So, we are uniquely positioned.”
He acknowledged the critical support from UNICEF and other stakeholders who were instrumental in bringing the vision to life.
On his part, Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Ademola Oremosu, underscored the pressing need to reduce child mortality and improve women’s health outcomes in Nigeria. He described BIRDLab as a transformative initiative that will play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.
He expressed confidence that the BIRDLab will enhance the nation’s capacity for early detection, targeted interventions, and informed policy-making; ultimately contributing to a healthier future for women and children across the country.
In his address, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ayo Osibogun, lauded the University of Lagos for continually distinguishing itself as a national trailblazer.
Professor Osibogun, commended UNILAG’s continued leadership role in national development and innovation, describing the BIRDLab as a strategic addition to Nigeria’s push for data-driven governance.
“Behavioural science offers powerful tools to understand and address the root causes of behaviours, allowing us to design smarter policies that truly work for the people. BIRDLab represents a significant leap forward in our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, he said.
With nineteen (19) institutions already part of the NETBRECSIN network, Professor Osibogun expressed optimism about the lab’s long-term prospects.
Similarly, the Chair of NETBRECSIN, Professor Adebayo Onajole described the laboratory as the product of months of careful planning and visionary collaboration.
His words, “This is not just a project, it’s a journey – one that requires learning, adaptability, and collective commitment. With the talent and passion around this table, we are ready for the challenge.”
Global Endorsement and Future Vision
Delivering remarks on behalf of UNICEF and the broader international community, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, via a virtual address expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and underscored the lab’s far-reaching potential. She outlined its three core pillars: behavioural science, capacity building, and evidence-based solutions.
She noted that the lab will serve as a hands-on learning and research environment for students and professionals alike, equipping them with the tools to tackle real-world development challenges through behavioural science.
According to her, the lab is positioned to deepen understanding of the motivations and behaviours that influence public decision-making, helping to craft more effective, people-centered health and social policies.
Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, Chief of Social and Behaviour Change at UNICEF, Mr. Kshitij Joshi commended Nigeria for its bold leadership in placing behavioural science at the heart of its development agenda, noting that “it demonstrates Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping global best practices in policy and programme design.”
The messages of Ms. Wafaa Saeed and Mr. Kshitij Joshi reaffirmed the global community’s commitment to supporting innovative, context-driven solutions that place people, especially children, at the center of development.
With its unique interdisciplinary approach, BIRDLab is appropriately positioned to drive impactful research and foster innovation to improve health, education, and child development outcomes across Nigeria and beyond.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel Dosunmu
