Abuja: The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has announced plans to implement an £18 million vaccine grant, which is set to significantly advance the country’s vaccine capabilities. The grant facilitated the development of a comprehensive vaccine roadmap, spearheaded by NIPRD in collaboration with various ministries, international partners, academic institutions, and private sector entities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the roadmap includes a detailed phased plan focusing on vaccine research, development, clinical trials, technology transfer, infrastructure expansion, regulatory strengthening, and the full-scale local manufacturing of vaccines. It also emphasizes the importance of training and retaining a skilled biopharmaceutical workforce to support the envisioned ecosystem.
The document, which was endorsed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Minister of State, received formal approval from the European Union. NIPRD’s Director-General, Adigwe, highlighted that implementation efforts are underway with a team already dispatched to UNICEF, one of the grant’s implementing partners, and significant developments are expected to be announced soon.
Adigwe stressed that NIPRD is using its mandate to create sustainable health security systems through pharmaceutical innovation. He projected that within the next decade, Nigeria could see the establishment of at least three to four companies locally manufacturing vaccines, thanks to the roadmap and ongoing efforts under the Presidential Initiative on Vaccine Development.
He expressed enthusiasm about sharing the vaccine roadmap with stakeholders and partners interested in achieving vaccine self-sufficiency, emphasizing the ultimate goal of ensuring every Nigerian’s access to lifesaving vaccines. Furthermore, Adigwe noted that the grant is not solely focused on research, but also addresses national security, economic resilience, and health equity.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader health sector reform agenda, which prioritizes local production, research advancement, and improved pandemic preparedness.