The Nigeria National Centre of AHOP (Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria) held a two-day inaugural with their three National AHOP Partners: The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Veritas University Abuja and the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), from 02-03 December 2020 at the HPRG conference room, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.

The AHOP concept, goals and objectives were shared with the partners. In addition, the partners also shared their previous and on-going experiences of generating Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) evidence, their institutional structures/frameworks for undertaking HPSR activities and Getting Research into Policy and Practice (GRIPP).

This was followed by a brainstorming sessions that were used to propose tasks in the next steps to generate and disseminate HPSR evidence for strengthening the Nigerian system and also achieving Universal Health Coverage in the country. The partners committed to in the first instance, developing a clear institutional framework for undertaking HPSR activities and engaging with AHOP over the project period and beyond, identifying current strengths and weakness and ideas for further capacity building.

The Health Policy Research Group is happy to have been able to eventually hold this meeting, which was originally scheduled for April, 2020 but cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.