The Federal Government has handed over the original title documents of two federal properties in Lagos to Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), advancing efforts to establish large-scale local vaccine production in Nigeria.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, formally presented the documents to BVNL through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), which holds the Federal Government’s interest in the venture.
The properties are located at No. 445 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, and No. 1 University Road, Yaba, Lagos.
Darma said the transfer fulfils the Federal Government’s equity commitment under its Joint Venture Agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc, which led to the creation of BVNL as a special-purpose vehicle for vaccine manufacturing.
Under the partnership, the Federal Government holds a 49 per cent stake in BVNL, while May & Baker owns 51 per cent. The government’s contribution to the venture includes the two Lagos properties.
The minister said the project was not only an economic initiative but also a matter of national security, particularly in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health crises.
He said dependence on foreign supply chains for critical vaccines leaves countries exposed during emergencies, making domestic production important for Nigeria’s health security.
Darma urged the BVNL board and management, led by Professor Oyewale Tomori, to convert the completion of the property transfer into tangible progress on vaccine manufacturing.
“The expectations of the Nigerian people are high, and time is of the essence,” the minister said.
Property titles to unlock investment
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, described the transfer as an important administrative milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards local vaccine production and greater health sovereignty.
Belgore said securing legal ownership of the properties would strengthen BVNL’s ability to attract capital investment, international partnerships, technology transfer and infrastructure financing.
He also acknowledged the roles played by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President in completing the title documentation process.
The project forms part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines while developing domestic capacity that could eventually serve Nigeria and other West African countries.
BVNL was established through the public-private partnership between the Federal Government and May & Baker to revive vaccine manufacturing in the country.
Tomori, the company’s Executive Officer, welcomed the transfer, describing the government’s contribution of the properties as a significant step in the development of the venture.
He reaffirmed BVNL’s commitment to advancing local vaccine production and contributing to efforts to reduce preventable deaths among children.
The Federal Government’s challenge now is to move the project beyond the transfer of assets and towards financing, infrastructure development, technology acquisition and actual vaccine production.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could strengthen Nigeria’s vaccine supply chain, improve preparedness for future health emergencies and position the country as a potential vaccine manufacturing hub in West Africa.
