The Federal Government has formally handed over the original title documents of two federal properties in Lagos to Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), marking a major step towards establishing domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, said the transfer fulfilled the Federal Government’s equity commitment under its Joint Venture Agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
Darma explained that the partnership led to the establishment of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited as a Special Purpose Vehicle for the mass production of vaccines for Nigeria and other West African countries.
He recalled that the Federal Government entered into the joint venture with May & Baker as part of efforts to revive local vaccine production and strengthen the country’s health security.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government holds a 49 per cent equity stake in BVNL, while May & Baker owns 51 per cent.
The government’s equity contribution comprises two properties located in Yaba, Lagos — No. 445 Herbert Macaulay Way and No. 1 University Road.
The Minister said local vaccine production was more than an economic initiative, noting that recent global health crises had demonstrated the risks associated with dependence on foreign supply chains for critical medical products.
“A nation that relies entirely on foreign supply chains for its critical vaccines remains fundamentally vulnerable,” he said.
Darma stressed that localising vaccine manufacturing was a matter of national security, adding that expectations among Nigerians were high and that the government could not afford unnecessary delays.
With the transfer completed, the Minister urged the Board and Management of BVNL, led by Professor Oyewale Tomori, to translate the milestone into immediate operational progress.
The establishment of BVNL is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines, strengthen national health security and position the country as a regional hub for vaccine manufacturing.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, described the handover as an important administrative and operational milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve health sovereignty and local vaccine production.
Belgore said the partnership between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc was established as a Public-Private Partnership to revive vaccine manufacturing in the country.
He noted that securing and transferring legal ownership of the properties was essential to enabling BVNL to attract capital investment, while calling for international partnerships, technology transfer and infrastructure financing to support the project.
The Permanent Secretary also acknowledged the contributions of key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, towards completing the title documentation process.
In his remarks, the Executive Officer of BVNL, Professor Oyewale Tomori, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for fulfilling its equity commitment.
Tomori described the handover as a significant milestone for the company and reaffirmed BVNL’s commitment to advancing local vaccine production and contributing to efforts to save the lives of millions of children.
He said the organisation would continue working towards its goal of helping to prevent the deaths of more than 7.8 million children annually.
