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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged both public and private sector stakeholders to increase investment in local vaccine production, describing it as vital to Nigeria’s health security and economic independence.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where she stressed the importance of developing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to reduce reliance on foreign imports.
According to Adeyeye, strengthening local vaccine production would not only ensure quicker access to essential immunisations but also prepare the country for future pandemics and global health emergencies. “We cannot afford to depend solely on imported vaccines. Building our capacity to produce them locally is a matter of national security and self-reliance,” she stated.
She highlighted that Nigeria possesses the scientific expertise and institutional framework to develop vaccines but requires stronger financial backing, technological support, and policy consistency to achieve large-scale production.
Adeyeye also revealed that NAFDAC is working closely with international partners to ensure that local manufacturing facilities meet global standards. The agency, she said, is committed to supporting credible investors with regulatory guidance to fast-track approvals and ensure quality assurance.
Industry experts at the event emphasised that investing in domestic vaccine production could generate jobs, attract foreign investment, and reduce costs associated with vaccine importation. They also called for government incentives, including tax relief and funding grants, to encourage private sector participation.
NAFDAC’s renewed push aligns with Nigeria’s broader health reform agenda and the African Union’s goal of producing at least 60 per cent of the continent’s vaccines locally by 2040.
