By Adenike Lawal
Nigeria’s exclusion from the World Health Organization’s (WHO), vaccine approval list has raised serious concerns about the country’s lagging biotech sector and health security.
The absence highlights critical gaps in local vaccine production capacity and infrastructure, leaving Nigeria trailing behind other African nations.
While Egypt, Ghana, and Tanzania are on track to secure WHO prequalification for eight vaccines by 2030, Nigeria remains off the list.
National Malaria Elimination Programme coordinator, Godwin Ntadom, acknowledged the setback, citing challenges such as lack of raw materials, high production costs, and forex crises.
Despite some progress under Health Minister Muhammad Pate, Nigeria still imports 99% of its vaccines, while nations like Senegal and South Africa produce WHO-approved vaccines locally.
Experts warn that without strategic investment and policy reforms, Nigeria risks falling further behind in the race for vaccine self-sufficiency.
