President Bola Tinubu has called upon Gavi, the vaccine alliance, to partner with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers.
This appeal was made during a meeting held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, where President Tinubu engaged with a delegation from Gavi led by its Chief Executive Officer, Sania Nishtar.
Highlighting the critical importance of this partnership, President Tinubu referenced the challenges faced by developing nations, particularly during global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
A statement released by the Special Adviser on Media to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, outlined Tinubu’s commitment to clearing Nigeria’s outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines in 2023.
President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s dedication to ensuring universal access to vaccination against preventable childhood diseases, stating, ““We are focused on ensuring that no child is left behind when it comes to vaccination against preventable childhood diseases.”
Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar commended the Nigerian government for its progressive health-sector initiatives, including increased health budget allocations and the provision of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for adolescent girls.
Nishtar announced Gavi’s commitment to providing a $250 million grant to Nigeria to bolster vaccination efforts in the country.
Furthermore, Nishtar highlighted Gavi’s dedication to addressing vaccine inequity in Africa through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator program, backed by a $1 billion allocation.
This initiative aims to enhance Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capacity, enabling the continent to meet its vaccine needs independently.
The partnership between Gavi and Nigerian vaccine manufacturers is poised to strengthen the country’s vaccine manufacturing sector, enabling it to effectively respond to current and future health challenges.
This collaboration signifies a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access and promoting health security in Nigeria and across the African continent.
