FUTH, NIPRD Sign MoU On Vaccine Research, Development
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia (FUTHL) have signed an MoU to boost vaccine and drug research, development, and clinical trials in Nigeria.
The agreement, endorsed in Abuja with Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Pate in attendance, aims to address Africa’s low local production of vaccines and medicines.
FUTHL Chief Medical Director Dr Ikrama Hassan highlighted the partnership’s timeliness, noting Africa produces less than 10% of the needed vaccines. He said the collaboration will involve 200 hospital staff and focus on developing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) locally to ensure Nigeria can respond to future pandemics.
NIPRD Director-General Dr Obi Adigwe said the MoU aligns with the institute’s strategy to accelerate national pharmaceutical innovation. He revealed NIPRD secured £18 million from the EU for research initiatives and confirmed the partnership includes automatic access to training slots for 50–100 Nigerian scientists at Stanford University in February 2026.
The collaboration will also strengthen clinical trials capacity, advance phytomedicine research, and create pathways for commercialising research outputs, benefiting both Nigeria and its scientists.
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