NAFDAC urges Nigerian pharmaceutical firms to invest in local vaccine production to achieve national self-sufficiency and reduce foreign dependence

NAFDAC local vaccine production has become a renewed national priority, as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria to invest in local vaccine production to strengthen self-sufficiency and reduce foreign dependence.

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Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the nation’s vulnerability and overreliance on international donors.

She said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria to make the necessary investments to enable the local production of human vaccines. Nigeria must not wait for another pandemic to build vaccine self-sufficiency.”

Adeyeye explained that the agency has strengthened its vaccine regulatory system through institutional reforms and alignment with global best practices.

According to her, NAFDAC established a Directorate for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices in 2024, positioning the agency to operate at a level comparable to advanced regulatory systems across the world.

She recalled that in 2022, NAFDAC achieved the World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status for medicines and imported vaccines — a milestone that signifies a stable, well-integrated regulatory framework.

She noted that efforts are now ongoing to attain the same level for locally manufactured vaccines, a prerequisite for WHO prequalification.

Adeyeye highlighted that NAFDAC’s capacity now spans market authorisation, clinical trial oversight, inspection, pharmacovigilance, and post-market surveillance, all essential components of a robust 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 capability,” she added.

To ensure preparedness for future health crises, NAFDAC has also developed emergency response guidelines and continues to strengthen national regulatory readiness.

Adeyeye encouraged local manufacturers to begin with ‘fill and finish’ operations, describing it as a practical first step towards full-scale domestic vaccine production.

“The strengthened regulatory framework, combined with the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda, provides a solid foundation for local vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria,” she said.

She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to supporting manufacturers and ensuring that all locally produced vaccines meet global standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.

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Through NAFDAC local vaccine production, Adeyeye believes Nigeria can build resilience, protect public health, and secure its place among nations capable of responding swiftly and independently to future pandemics.