The 2025 ARISE NETWORK and Conference on Adolescents’ Health in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAH-SSA)
held from 23-26 June 2025, in the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria. The impacts and progress of the
ARISE NETWORK, especially in its efforts towards creating platforms for effective utilization of
innovations, strategies, and policy options for enhancing adolescents’ mental, sexual and reproductive
health, and nutrition across the African continent were at the forefront of discussions during the
landmark event.
Researchers, policymakers, and development partners, contributed to strategic discussions, scientific,
health policy and leadership dialogues. Some notable achievements at the 2025 CAH-SSA included
enlightening pre-conference trainings for DASH MSc, PhD, and Postdoc Students; exhibitions with
scientific oral, poster, and virtual abstract presentations; a stakeholders’ engagement and involvement
workshop with the Africa Think Tank on Adolescent and Youth Health (ATTAYH); adolescents and
youth engagement workshop; the launching of the Special Thematic Working Groups (STWG) on
Nutrition, SRH and Mental Health; and annual network meetings. The Conference climaxed with a
Special Workshop for the Policy Imperative Working Group, ATTAYH and the STWGs in Ibadan,
Nigeria.
Gown-to-Town: Bridging the Gap – Prof. Ayo M.J. Oduola
Prof. Ayo MJ Oduola has emphasized the need for the collaborative deployment
of research and innovations to bridge knowledge gap and support policy options.
The University of Ibadan Research Foundation (UI-RF) Director made the call in his
remarks at the 2025 Arise Network and Conference on Adolescent Health in Sub
Saharan Africa. Alluding to the Carter Bridge, in Lagos, the host city of the event,
the UI-RF Director described how the ARISE Network has consistently been a
nexus and platform for the transformation of knowledge into visible asset-based
impact-driven strategies and options.
Prof. Ayo Oduola further highlighted the importance of strengthening the gown
to-town approach through access to research outputs from academia to support
policy options that are merged with perspectives from community decision
makers. He stated that this would produce community impacts and initiate
potential new research. According to him, bridging the gap between academic
programs and decision makers would produce realistic asset-based impact
driven strategies and options
Keynote Address - Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, a former Nigerian minister of health and a professor and practising consultant orthopaedic surgeon, has said that
improved leadership is an appropriate tool to deploy if gaps will be bridged and amiable futures built.
Alluding to the successful containment of the spread of the Ebola Virus in 2014 under his
leadership, Prof. Chukwu noted that tactful leadership such as helped in the establishment of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), an institution that has continued to be relevant in the protection of the health of Nigerians through evidence-based prevention, is pivotal to growth and success.
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the keynote speaker advocated for a leadership that is present, one that truly invests in and provides guidance
to the followers for the realization of the set goals within the ARISE Network and across all sectors.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has lauded the achievements of the administration of his principal, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Extolling the vision-driven government, Prof. Abayomi expounded the Governor’s strategy for driving a human centric, gender sensitive youth driven, human capital resource to compete with the rest of the world (to become one of the African Leopards) comparable to the Asian Tigers. Expatiating on the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, Prof. Abayomi who was speaking at the 2025 Arise Network and Conference on Adolescent Health in Sub-Saharan Africa stated that the State was employing a holistic youth centric approach to solve its current health challenges, increase brain gain, improve the quality of care and outcomes and bring the health system closer to the people with stronger regulation.
Prof. Abayomi, who is also a member of the Africa Think-Tank for Adolescents’ and Youths’ Health (ATTAYH), further stated that Lagos State has continued to be a trendsetter in building a robust health system; being the pioneer of the medical innovation hub in Nigeria and being an early lead in both the provision and regulation of innovative technologies such as genomic sequencing, AI transformative solutions, robotics, and personalised and regenerative medicine. He added that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration was equally aiming at eliminating malaria prevalence, harnessing public-private partnerships and strengthening the state’s biosecurity system
Many other remarkable moments unfolded during the 2025 ARISE Network and CAH-SSA Conference—each one adding depth and dimension to the collective mission. From youth-led workshops and policy think tanks to groundbreaking exhibitions and strategic launches, the event was a vibrant mosaic of innovation, leadership, and collaboration.
Ultimately, the conference was more than a gathering. it was a catalyst for transformation. By convening researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and thought leaders, it reaffirmed the power of unity in shaping adolescent health outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the ARISE Network continues to bridge the gap between academia and real-world impact, it stands as a beacon of hope,empowering the next generation to thrive in health, dignity, and purpose