‘Nigeria capable of producing vaccines’ – Tinubu boasts to Gavi executives

President Bola Tinubu has urged Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to collaborate with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers to ensure fair access to life-saving vaccines for both children and adults.

In a meeting with a delegation from Gavi, led by its CEO, Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the State House, President Tinubu emphasized the need for partnerships in local vaccine production, particularly in light of the challenges faced by developing nations during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s skilled workforce capable of contributing to vaccine production locally and across Africa. He assured Gavi of Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines in 2023 and directed relevant ministers to ensure funds are released for vaccine procurement.

Expressing his administration’s dedication to healthcare development and partnership with Gavi, President Tinubu emphasized the goal of universal vaccination coverage, particularly for preventable childhood diseases.

Acknowledging the significant contribution of Gavi to global health, President Tinubu welcomed collaboration to safeguard children from preventable diseases, emphasizing Nigeria’s alignment with Gavi’s values.

He recognized Dr. Nishtar’s perspective as a leader from a developing country and stressed the importance of leveraging her experience for the benefit of children’s health.

Appreciating Dr. Nishtar’s visit and support for Nigeria’s health initiatives, President Tinubu pledged to prioritize investments in healthcare renewal and underscored the importance of coordination among different levels of government.