Nigeria could soon launch a $100 million veterinary
vaccine manufacturing project as part of efforts to strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of Livestock Development, the project is being led by private company Vacci Afric Biologics Limited through a technology transfer partnership with a Chinese vaccine manufacturing consortium.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Chinese partners, whose identities have not yet been disclosed, would support the design, commissioning, and initial operation of the plant alongside Nigerian teams.
The agreement also provides for a 24-month joint operating period, followed by a mentoring phase during which Nigerian professionals would gradually take full control of the facility.
According to the ministry, the plant is expected to produce 1.2 billion doses of veterinary vaccines annually once it reaches full capacity. It would first meet Nigeria's domestic demand before expanding distribution across West and Central Africa. Authorities have not yet disclosed the plant's location or the project's implementation timeline. If completed, the facility is expected to strengthen Nigeria's vaccine manufacturing capacity, improve the supply of vaccines targeting priority livestock diseases, and reduce the country's dependence on imported veterinary products.
Project Supports National Animal Health Strategy
The announcement follows the adoption in May of Nigeria's 2026-2036 National Animal Health Strategy, which aims to modernize veterinary services and strengthen disease management. The roadmap includes plans to expand laboratory capacity, improve vaccination systems, and promote public-private partnerships across the livestock value chain.
The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to face persistent animal health challenges. The country's livestock sector is affected by several endemic diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), African swine fever, and anthrax, all of which weigh on livestock productivity.
On April 2, Nigerian authorities notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of a new anthrax outbreak in domestic livestock in Zamfara State. Before that, the country had not reported a major anthrax outbreak since January 2025.
Against this backdrop, expanding domestic vaccine production could improve the availability of veterinary products, ease import constraints, and strengthen Nigeria's ability to respond more quickly to disease outbreaks.
