On Tuesday, the Nigerian federal government inaugurated a new veterinary vaccine cold storage facility in Agege, Lagos, with the capacity to store approximately 40 million doses. Livestock Development Minister Idi Maiha stated that this facility will enhance Nigeria's animal health security, improve vaccine availability, and minimize wastage.
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Minister Maiha highlighted that diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, and foot-and-mouth disease significantly hinder livestock productivity and food security. He emphasized that the solar-powered facility would bolster disease-control initiatives by ensuring proper vaccine preservation and facilitating better access to vaccines.
This facility is part of the federal government's livestock transformation agenda, implemented through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) with assistance from the World Bank. Maiha noted that similar cold storage facilities had already been established in Sokoto, Abuja, Yola, Edo, and Imo, as part of efforts to create a national vaccine storage and distribution network.
Furthermore, he mentioned an upgrade to the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, which is expected to increase Nigeria's vaccine production capacity from around 120 million doses to over 850 million doses annually.
“Our ambition is clear; Nigeria must progressively attain veterinary vaccine self-sufficiency and position itself as a major vaccine production and supply hub for West Africa and the African continent,” Maiha stated. He also remarked that this investment would lead to healthier livestock, enhanced productivity, and greater economic opportunities for livestock farmers.
Maiha expressed appreciation to the Lagos government, World Bank, L-PRES, and other partners for their support of this initiative.