• Urges investors, FG to act before next health emergency
• Firm advocates integration of Ayurveda into Nigeria’s healthcare system
• Seeks inclusion of holistic medicine in varsities
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has moved to position Nigeria for homegrown vaccine production, urging pharmaceutical manufacturers and relevant stakeholders to make necessary investments to kick-start local manufacturing before the next health emergency.
Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the charge while addressing industry stakeholders, warning that Nigeria must not wait for another pandemic to get prepared.
She recalled that during the COVID-19 outbreak, the country was caught unprepared and had to rely heavily on international donors for vaccine supply.
Adeyeye said that the agency had overhauled its internal regulatory framework to strengthen vaccine oversight and ensure compliance with international standards.
She said that before the restructuring, all regulated products, including drugs, food, cosmetics, vaccines, and medical devices, were supervised by a single directorate, which made the system ineffective and prone to corruption.
The NAFDAC boss said that to sustain the progress, the agency created a dedicated Directorate for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices in November 2024 after evaluation and approval by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
The DG, therefore, expressed optimism that Nigeria would begin manufacturing vaccines before the end of her tenure and added that the agency had already developed guidelines for emergency preparedness against epidemics and pandemics. She, however, warned that if the country fails to produce its own vaccines, it will again depend on other nations during future outbreaks.
Meanwhile, a health and environmental advocacy group, the Art of Living Centre Nigeria, also known as Lekki Ashram, has launched an Ayurveda Centre to complement existing medical practices, reduce dependence on chemical-based treatments and promote overall well-being through natural healing methods.
The organisation’s Global Head of Mission, Iyke Ohaegbu, said that the Lekki Ashram would serve as a hub for wellness programmes, including meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises designed to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Ohaegbu described Ayurveda as a system of medicine that emphasises balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Julie Ann Van Vleke, a member of the organisation’s board of trustees, described the opening of the centre as “a courageous and timely step,” particularly as Nigeria faces economic challenges and growing health demands.
In the keynote address, Prof. Habeeb Sanni urged stronger partnerships with government institutions and stakeholders to advance the integration of traditional and alternative medicine.
