Dr. Simeon Agwale, CEO of Innovative Biotech, announced that a Lassa fever vaccine developed by a Nigerian scientist successfully passed preclinical trials in mice and non-human primates, showing 100% protection against the Nigerian strain of the virus.

The vaccine is licensed from the University of Maryland by Medigen USA, with exclusive use rights in Africa, and clinical trial doses are being manufactured in the U.S. pending completion of Nigeria’s vaccine production facility.

Agwale emphasized the need to reform Nigeria’s academic and research systems, focusing on practical and targeted postgraduate training in vaccinology and drug development to boost innovation and health security.

He also called for universities to generate research funding through problem-solving and collaborate globally to build scientific self-reliance and readiness for health emergencies.