Capacity-Strengthening in Research Management: A Case Study of the Advancing Research Management Training Initiative in West Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18552/jorma.v5i1.1349

Keywords:

Research Management and Administration, Capacity Building, West Africa, Research Development, Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

What is new?

There is a growing recognition of the need to strengthen research management capacity in West African institutions, yet limited structured training programs exist to address capacity gaps in this field. This study presents original findings from a multi-country initiative aimed at filling that gap.

What was the approach?

The study employed a pre–post evaluation design using structured surveys administered to participants of three five-day intensive workshops held in Nigeria and Senegal between September and December 2024. The training focused on research support, research strategy, grant writing, budgeting, research communications, integrity, project management, contracts, intellectual property, and gender issues.

What is the academic impact?

The results revealed significant improvements in participants' self-reported knowledge and competencies across all training areas. The study contributes empirical evidence to the field of Research Management and Administration (RMA), demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted capacity-building interventions in enhancing research support functions in low-resource settings.

What is the wider impact?

The positive outcomes highlight the potential of structured, context-specific training to build a more competent research management workforce, thereby supporting stronger institutional research environments across West Africa.

Author Biographies

Prof. Eme Theodora Owoaje, University of Ibadan

Prof. Eme Theodora Owoaje is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and an Honorary Consultant at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. She is the current secretary general for WARIMA. She holds the MBBS from the University of Ibadan (1987) and a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians in Community Health (1998). Her research specialises in Rehabilitative and Social Medicine, with a focus on the epidemiology of diseases causing injury and disability, the health and rehabilitation needs of disadvantaged populations including orphans, the elderly, and urban slum residents, and women's health issues, particularly intimate partner violence.

Dr. Adebowale Jeremy Adetayo, Babcock University

Dr. Adebowale Jeremy Adetayo is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria, where he also supports research management through the Office of Research, Innovation and International Collaboration. He holds a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, and PhD in Library and Information Science. His research interests span information science, business information management, and Research Management.

Dembo Bakary Kanteh, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia

Mr. Dembo Bakary Kanteh is Head of Strategic Partnerships at the MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM), and current President of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA). He holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from Delhi University (1996) and an MBA from the Open University. With over 20 years of experience in research management, organisational strategy, and grants administration, he was the pioneer Head of the Research Support Office at MRCG. He is a regular trainer for WARIMA and the Africa Research Excellence Fund, and a member of the International Professional Recognition Council.

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Published

21-06-2026

How to Cite

Owoaje, E., Adetayo, A., & Kanteh, D. (2026). Capacity-Strengthening in Research Management: A Case Study of the Advancing Research Management Training Initiative in West Africa. Journal of Research Management and Administration, 5(1), 2026062101. https://doi.org/10.18552/jorma.v5i1.1349

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Research Management and Administration

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Prof. Eme Theodora Owoaje, Dr. Adebowale Jeremy Adetayo, Dembo Bakary Kanteh

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