FG Targets Vaccine Self-Sufficiency Through NVRI Reforms

News in brief:

-Nigeria's Federal Government plans reforms at the National Veterinary Research Institute to increase domestic vaccine production and reduce imports.

-The initiative aims to support disease control and unlock Nigeria’s estimated $3.2 billion livestock export potential.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has reaffirmed its commitment to reforming the National Veterinary Research Institute to strengthen local vaccine production and improve animal disease control across the country.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during a three-day top management retreat of the institute held this month.

The retreat brought together management staff to review the institute’s institutional performance, assess operational gaps and develop strategic pathways for transformation.

Nigeria Meets Less Than 40% of Vaccine Demand

According to the minister, despite over a century of existence, NVRI currently produces less than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s local animal vaccine requirements.

He described the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for reform, noting that Nigeria spends about $1.5 billion annually on importing veterinary vaccines.

Maiha urged the institute to align its operations with national economic priorities and work towards reducing the country’s vaccine import bill by at least $500 million by 2030.

Private Sector Partnerships Key to Reform

The minister emphasised that attracting structured private sector investment and partnerships would be essential to expanding production capacity and ensuring long-term sustainability.

He added that strengthening domestic vaccine production would significantly improve Nigeria’s ability to manage livestock diseases and support the broader transformation of the livestock industry.

Maiha explained that persistent transboundary and endemic animal diseases continue to limit Nigeria’s participation in regional and international meat markets.

According to him, Nigeria’s beef industry has an estimated export potential of about $3.2 billion, which can only be realised through stronger disease surveillance systems, reliable vaccine production and improved diagnostic capacity.

Strategic Role in Animal Health

Earlier, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Samuel Anzaku, described NVRI as one of the country’s most strategic animal health institutions.

He noted that the institute plays a vital role in disease diagnosis, surveillance support, vaccine production and scientific advisory services for Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Anzaku added that the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer relies heavily on the institute’s laboratory outputs for early warning systems, risk assessment, outbreak response and international reporting obligations.

Retreat Seeks Institutional Transformation

Also speaking, the Acting Executive Director of NVRI, Nicholas Nwankpa, said the retreat was convened to critically evaluate the institute’s operational capacity and develop strategies aligned with the vision of the livestock ministry.

He highlighted the institute’s key mandates, including vaccine production, research on emerging and re-emerging animal diseases, national diagnostic services and extension support for livestock farmers.

The retreat, themed Strengthening Our Mandate through Enhanced Stewardship, Transformational Leadership and Strategic Institutional Capacity Training, is expected to produce actionable reforms aimed at modernising NVRI into a globally competitive veterinary research and vaccine production institution.