NAFDAC Pushes for Local Vaccine Production to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Security
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers to begin investing in local vaccine production to achieve national self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of relying on international donors for essential vaccines.
“Nigeria must not wait for another pandemic to build vaccine self-sufficiency,” Adeyeye said, adding that NAFDAC had strengthened its vaccine regulatory system to align with international best practices.
She explained that in 2024, the agency created a Directorate for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices, a move designed to raise Nigeria’s regulatory capacity to global standards.
Adeyeye recalled that NAFDAC attained the World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status for medicines and imported vaccines in 2022, a milestone reflecting a stable and well-integrated regulatory framework.
She noted that the next goal is achieving the same level for locally manufactured vaccines, a key requirement for WHO prequalification.
She said the agency’s capabilities now include market authorisation, clinical trial oversight, inspection, post-market surveillance, and pharmacovigilance, all vital components of a modern vaccine regulatory system.
“The agency operates an in-house laboratory for vaccines, biologics, and medical devices, making it the only national regulatory authority in sub-Saharan Africa with such capacity,” she said.
Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had developed emergency response guidelines to enhance the country’s readiness for future epidemics and pandemics.
She encouraged local manufacturers to start with “fill and finish” operations, the final stage of vaccine packaging, as a practical entry point into full-scale production.
She assured that the agency would continue to support local producers while maintaining strict oversight to ensure that all vaccines made in Nigeria meet global standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.
According to her, “The strengthened regulatory framework, combined with the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda, provides a strong foundation for local vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria.”
