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RESEARCH INTEGRITY

Research Ethics
& Governance

The AUL Institutional Research Ethics & Review Board (IREB) ensures that all research involving human participants, sensitive data, or ethical considerations is conducted to the highest international standards.

Contact the Research Office
For Reseachers

What is the IREB?

The Institutional Research Ethics & Review Board (IREB) is AUL's independent committee responsible for reviewing the ethical dimensions of all research proposals involving human participants, personal data, or any activity that carries ethical risk. It operates under the authority of the Vice-Chancellor and reports to the Academic Board.

IREB comprises seven members drawn from different disciplines — including law, health sciences, social sciences, and theology — along with an independent community representative. All members serve a two-year term and receive ethics governance training.

Do I need approval?

Who needs ethics review?

  • Any research involving human participants (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations)
  • Research using personal data, medical records, or sensitive information
  • Postgraduate dissertations involving primary data collection
  • Research funded by external bodies that require institutional ethics certification
  • Secondary data analysis involving individually identifiable data
  • Community-based participatory research projects
Step by Step

Application process

Follow these five steps to obtain ethics clearance for your research.

  1. 1

    Download and complete the application form

    Obtain the current IREB application form from the Research Office or download it below. Complete all sections, including a plain-language summary of your research, data management plan, participant recruitment strategy, and risk assessment. Incomplete applications will be returned.

  2. 2

    Obtain supervisor or departmental sign-off

    Postgraduate researchers must have their supervisor countersign the application. Academic staff applications require the Head of Department to confirm institutional support. This step ensures departmental oversight before the committee considers the proposal.

  3. 3

    Submit to the Research Ethics Secretariat

    Email your completed application and all supporting documents (participant information sheets, consent forms, interview guides, questionnaires, data storage plan) to ethics@aul.edu.ng. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are assessed at the next available panel meeting (held monthly).

  4. 4

    IREB Panel Review

    The IREB panel, comprising members from law, health sciences, social sciences and an independent community representative, reviews applications against the Helsinki Declaration and the Nigerian Code of Health Research Ethics. Low-risk applications may be assessed under expedited review (5–10 working days). Full review is required for research involving vulnerable populations, sensitive data, or minimal-risk interventions.

  5. 5

    Receieve decision and certificate

    Applicants will receive a written decision: approved, approved with conditions, deferred for revision, or declined. Approved applicants receive a signed Ethics Clearance Certificate valid for the period of the study. Any significant protocol amendments must be reported to IREB before implementation.

Download application form Download consent form templates
Guiding Standards

Ethical Principles & frameworks

Helsinki Declaration (2024 revision)

All human subjects research at AUL adheres to the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki, the foundational international standard for ethical conduct in medical and health-related research involving human participants.

Nigerian Code of Health Research Ethics

Respect for persons

Beneficence and non-maleficence

Justice

Anchor University graduate receiving an award with a university official

Contact the IREB Secretariat

For questions about whether your project requires ethics review, for support completing the application, or to follow up on a submission, contact the secretariat.

ethics@aul.edu.ng Grants & Funding