The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria to invest in local vaccine production as part of efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.

According to a statement signed on Monday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Nigeria’s vulnerability and the risks of relying on international donors for vaccines.

“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 said.

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

Adeyeye said, in 2024, NAFDAC established a Directorate for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices, positioning the agency to operate at a level comparable with advanced regulatory systems globally.

She said NAFDAC achieved World Health Organization Maturity Level 3 status for medicines and imported vaccines in 2022, a milestone that signifies a stable, well-integrated regulatory framework. Efforts are now ongoing to reach the same level for locally manufactured vaccines, which is required for WHO prequalification.

Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC’s capacity now covers market authorization, inspection, clinical trial oversight, post-market surveillance, and pharmaco-vigilance, all key elements of effective vaccine regulation.

“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 said.

To sustain preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics, the agency has developed emergency response guidelines and continues to strengthen national regulatory readiness.

She urged local manufacturers to begin with “fill and finish” operations, the final phase of vaccine packaging, as a practical first step toward full-scale local production.

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

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