The Federal Government has announced plans to commence local production of human vaccines in the country.The plan, according to Director General of National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, is in keeping with the government’s desire to be actively engaged in local production of products.

The products, the director-general said, include medicals. She said the vaccines would be useful in preventing and controlling diseases among humans.
Appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology for defence of the ministry’s 2016 budget spending, Mrs. Ogabadu said the agency is partnering with relevant stakeholders to put in place a policy document on development and business plan that will guarantee sustainable human vaccine production in the country.

“We are collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Immunisation Funding Task Force to come up with a joint action plan that can support local production of vaccines. Some years back in the 60s, Nigeria produced vaccines, but it folded up. This time, we are committed to it and do not want to repeat the same mistakes. So, we want everything to be in place this time around. The agency is committed to ensuring that the improved varieties get to the farmers for utilisation,” she explained.