EU Partners With Nigeria to Enhance Indigenous Vaccine Manufacturing

The European Union and Nigeria have signed a €18 million collaboration deal to strengthen research and development capacity and implement Nigeria's national plan for pharmaceutical sector progress, as well as local vaccine and medical technology production.

This agreement was signed jointly by Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education, during the EU Global Gateway high-level education event in Brussels on Thursday.

In a statement released by the EU Head of Communication on Friday, Modestu Chukwulaka, it was emphasized that the partnership underscores the EU’s staunch commitment to promoting educational and health equity.

Urpilainen stated, “Economic growth hinges on a well-educated, skilled workforce and robust healthcare systems. Therefore, investing in fortifying education and health systems globally is a pivotal aspect of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.

The European funding, allocated under the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa, will provide support for enhancing various facets of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector."

In addition to the cooperation on pharmaceutical advancements, Commissioner Urpilainen also signed off on 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme projects funded by the EU, totaling €27 million under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa initiative.