Tinubu seeks stronger Gavi partnership as vaccine alliance commits $500m to Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as the organisation pledged more than $500 million in support for the country’s immunisation programme over the next five years.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation led by Gavi Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sania Nishtar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President thanked Gavi for its longstanding support to Nigeria’s health sector and described the alliance as a key partner in efforts to improve immunisation coverage and expand local vaccine production.
He said Nigeria remained committed to protecting the health of its citizens and developing Africa’s capacity to manufacture vaccines.
“The programme of acceleration for the production of vaccines in Nigeria is empowering the continent. Here is the heart of Africa, and I’m proudly saying that the seriousness Nigeria attaches to immunisation and vaccines is unwavering,” Tinubu said.
He also praised the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for driving reforms in the health sector.
“The health sector has changed dramatically and is improving. We owe it to our population to be farsighted, develop the capacity of Africans and protect future generations,” the President added.
Earlier, Nishtar commended Tinubu’s leadership, saying Nigeria had undertaken significant macroeconomic and health sector reforms under his administration.
