The Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has called for synergy among various institutions engaged in vaccine research.
Mustapha, who spoke in Abuja on Friday, said that vaccine technology was very vital in Nigeria, therefore, became imperative that there should be synergy.
He said that although some universities and research institutions were trying in conducting research into vaccine production, coming together under one umbrella would ensure proper coordination.
According to him, coordination is a prerequisite, and formidable force that will drive vaccine production, as experts will be picked within and outside the country to make impacts.
“We have to take this seriously and make sure that it is our number one priority,’’ he said.
The NBRDA boss pointed out that Nigeria needed to have a system and modalities in place where the health of the people would be safeguarded, with precaution taken in regard to numerous diseases.
“We don’t need to wait until somebody comes to do it for us, we should learn from countries like China and India, who have gone far by producing their own drugs and vaccines.
“So, if we are really keen in terms of production of vaccines in this country, vaccine research institutions must come together,” he said.
The director-general said that the agency had gone far in terms of vaccine production, and as a biotechnology agency, it was its responsibility to coordinate all vaccine production activities in the country.
Mustapha said that due to the importance of vaccine technology to the country, the agency had submitted many proposals to ensure that the project was successful.
He said that the NBRDA was working with interested groups to produce a blueprint for vaccine production in the country, as well as chart the course to follow in vaccine production.
Mustapha said that this was part of the agency’s goal for 2025, and they were ready to move with it.
NAN
