Nigeria may begin local production of vaccines in 2024

Ahead of Nigeria Pharma Manufacturing Expo (NPME) 2022, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), May & Baker, Patrick Ajah, yesterday, in Lagos, said the most populous black nation might begin local production of vaccines in 2024.

NPME, scheduled for October 18 to 19, 2022, in Ikeja, is organised by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), a sub sector of MAN, that represents all manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and allied products in the country.

Ajah, at a press conference to announce the exhibition with the theme, “Advancing the frontiers of medicine security in Nigeria, expanding local pharma manufacturing in the era of AfCFTA”, said: “Hopefully before the end of this year, there is going to be groundbreaking for the local manufacture of vaccines in Nigeria. Once this is done, I think in two years, we shall begin to manufacture vaccines locally.”

He said the Federal Government’s partnership with May & Baker, which gave rise to the Joint Venture (JV) company, Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), is making tremendous progress.