KASU Scholar Dr. Basira Kankia Lawal Selected for Inaugural AFRI-HIGH IRI Fellowship
Dr. Basira Kankia Lawal, a Senior Lecturer at Kaduna State University (KASU), has been selected as a fellow in the inaugural AFRI-HIGH IRI Fellowship, making her the only Nigerian among 17
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
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.
Dr. Lawal stands out as the only Nigerian among 17 competitively selected fellows from across Africa, reflecting her dedication to advancing implementation research in the field of global health. The fellowship, a collaborative initiative between Washington University in St. Louis, USA; the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; and the University of Zambia, is designed to enhance expertise in implementation science with a focus on HIV, infectious diseases, and global health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The two-year fellowship provides fellows with extensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to foster career development in implementation research. Key components of the program include:
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Training: Fellows participate in an intensive one-week on-site training session each year, equipping them with advanced knowledge and skills essential for conducting impactful research and securing research grants.
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Mentoring: The program pairs fellows with experienced faculty members from AFRI-HIGH IRI, providing guidance, professional development, and expanding their research networks.
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Networking and Collaborations: The fellowship fosters long-term partnerships among researchers, program implementers, and policymakers, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health outcomes through implementation science.
The first training session for the 2025 cohort took place from March 2 to March 6 at the Ciêla Resort and Spa in Lusaka, Zambia. Beyond in-person training, fellows are also grouped into mentoring pods, allowing for continued engagement and learning through virtual sessions.
Dr. Lawal expressed her enthusiasm for the fellowship, stating her commitment to leveraging the insights gained to enhance implementation science research at KASU. She will work closely with her program mentor, Dr. Halima Bello-Manga of KASU’s College of Medicine, to establish an implementation science hub within the university.
Her selection for this prestigious fellowship underscores KASU's growing influence in global health research, reinforcing its status as a leading academic institution committed to addressing critical health challenges through scientific inquiry and implementation research.
