Why Nigeria Is Not Yet Ready for Local Vaccine Production — Health Minister Salako

The Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, says Nigeria is still unable to produce vaccines locally due to economic and technical limitations.

Salako made this known on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme monitored by NIGERIA NEWS 247, while discussing the country’s vaccine production capacity.

When asked if Nigeria currently has the capability to manufacture vaccines, the Minister responded: “Unfortunately, not. One of the key elements Nigeria is driving under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Value Chain is to promote local vaccine development.”

He explained that vaccine production requires extensive economic and technical evaluation, stressing that local manufacturing must be financially sustainable.

“It is not enough to just say you want to produce vaccines. You must first consider comparative advantage. If producing locally costs more than importing, then it defeats the purpose. You must do all the analysis,” Salako said.

The Minister added that although Nigeria’s population of over 240 million offers a sizeable market, any attempt at local production must meet global industry standards.

Salako, however, assured Nigerians that the country’s health security architecture remains strong and adequately prepared to respond to global disease outbreaks.