UNILAG, UNICEF Unveil Nigeria’s First Behavioural Insights Laboratory

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the Behavioural Insights Research and Design Laboratory (BIRDLab), Nigeria’s first behavioural insights hub dedicated to advancing child development policy and practice.

The inauguration took place on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba.

The laboratory, only the second of its kind in Africa after Ethiopia’s in 2022, marks a milestone for evidence-based development in the country. The event attracted academics, policymakers, development partners, students, and international behavioural science experts.

BIRDLab is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the 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, said UNILAG is uniquely positioned to host the groundbreaking initiative.

“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,” Professor Lesi stated, while commending UNICEF and other stakeholders for their pivotal support.

Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Ademola Oremosu, stressed the urgent need to address child mortality and women’s health challenges, describing BIRDLab as a transformative tool that would enhance early detection, targeted interventions, and stronger policy responses.

Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ayo Osibogun, lauded UNILAG for its leadership in national development, calling the laboratory a strategic boost to Nigeria’s drive 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),” Professor Osibogun said.

Chair of NETBRECSIN, Professor Adebayo Onajole, described the laboratory as the product of careful planning and collaboration. “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,” he said.

Delivering a virtual address, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, outlined the lab’s three pillars: behavioural science, capacity building, and evidence-based solutions. She emphasized that the BIRDLab would serve as a hands-on learning and research space for both students and professionals, deepening understanding of human behaviour to inform people-centered policy.

Chief of Social and Behaviour Change at UNICEF, Mr. Kshitij Joshi, praised Nigeria’s leadership in prioritizing behavioural science, stating that it demonstrates the country’s growing influence in shaping global best practices for development.

Their messages reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to supporting innovative, context-driven solutions that put people, especially children, at the heart of policy and programme design.

With its interdisciplinary focus, BIRDLab is set to drive impactful research, foster innovation, and strengthen outcomes in health, education, and child development across Nigeria and beyond.