President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is prepared to be a global hub for the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines and biological pharmaceuticals for the safety of mankind.
He made this statement while addressing the World Bio Summit 2022 in Seoul, South Korea.
President Buhari called for the speedy take-off of local production of mRNA vaccines after the World Health Organisation (WHO) had selected Nigeria as one of the six African countries to receive the technology needed to produce the vaccines.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the President also pledged commitment to the global response to known or emerging pathogens, including the global vaccine assurance ecosystem and equitable access for all.
He told the meeting, jointly convened by the Government of South Korea and WHO, to discuss the future of vaccines and bio-health across the globe so that Nigeria would continue to explore bilateral, multilateral, and other opportunities for cutting-edge technology as a center of excellence for vaccine manufacturing and distribution.
“As the mRNA technology allows science to shift attention to yet unknown disease threats, we see opportunities to address diseases that have plagued sub-Saharan Africa and third-world countries for centuries.
“We believe biomedical scientists can dream of ending the scourge of Malaria, Ebola, Lassa fever, and various endemic neglected tropical diseases through the development and manufacture of efficacious and affordable vaccines and therapeutics.
“Nigeria invites partners ready to support efforts towards the entire value chain of vaccine technology development in our continent, to consider working with us in Nigeria,” he said.
