In fulfilling its promise, the Federal Government has formally handed over the original title documents of two federal government properties in Lagos to Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), marking a major step toward domestic vaccine manufacturing in the country.

Speaking at the event,the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, said the transfer fulfills the Federal Government’s equity commitment under the Joint Venture Agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc.

Darma explained that the partnership created Biovaccines Nigeria Limited as a Special Purpose Vehicle for mass production of vaccines for Nigeria and other West African countries, recalling how the Government entered into a joint venture partnership with May & Baker to revive local production of vaccines.

According to him,Under the agreement, the Federal Government holds 49 percent equity in BVNL while May & Baker holds 51 perecent. The government’s contribution consists of two properties: No. 445 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba and No. 1 University Road, Yaba, Lagos.

The Minister noted that localizing vaccine production goes beyond economics, while the lessons of recent global health crises remain crystal clear. A nation that relies entirely on foreign supply chains for its critical vaccines remains fundamentally vulnerable.

He emphasized that localizing vaccine production is not merely an economic ambition; it is a critical matter of national security as the expectations of the Nigerian people are high, and time is of the essence,

With the transfer completed, the Minister urged the Board and Management of BVNL, led by Professor Oyewale Tomori, to translate the milestone into immediate operational progress.

The establishment of BVNL is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines, strengthen health security, and position the country as a regional hub for vaccine production.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, described the event as an important administrative and operational milestone in Nigeria’s effort to achieve health sovereignty and local vaccine production.

He noted that the partnership between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc was established as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to revive vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria.

While emphasizing securing and transferring legal ownership of the properties is essential for BVNL to attract capital investment, he called for international partnerships, technology transfer, and infrastructure financing.

The Permanent Secretary however acknowledged the collaboration of key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, in completing the title documentation process.

In a remarks, the Executive Officer of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), Prof. Oyewale Tomori, who was full of joy, commended the government for the evidence of its equity coming into the scene actually for the first time gives him double celebration.

He therefore re-affirms the commitment of his organization to work towards saving the lives of over 7.8 million children from dying yearly.