PROFILE

Dr. Nick Nwankpa DVM, PhD

Acting Director/Chief Executive

National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom.

Email: edvr@nvri.gov.ng

Dr. Nick Nwankpa is an accomplished veterinary scientist, administrator, and international expert in animal health, with more than three decades of professional experience in veterinary research, vaccine production, and laboratory quality assurance. He was recently appointed as the Acting Director/Chief Executive of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, where he leads the Institute in fulfilling its mandate of advancing animal health, safeguarding public health, and supporting Nigeria’s livestock sector through research, innovation, and technology transfer.

Dr. Nwankpa obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1989, followed by a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from the University of Jos in 1996. He later returned to UNN for his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology, completed in 2008. In addition, he holds a Master’s degree in Business Management (Technology Management) and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Psychology, complementing his strong scientific background with managerial and leadership skills.

He began his career at NVRI Vom in 1991, where he rose through the ranks, serving as Head of the Mycoplasma Research Laboratory and later as Director of Vaccines Production. His work contributed significantly to livestock disease diagnostics, vaccine development, and the Institute’s reputation as a regional hub for veterinary research and innovation.

At the continental level, Dr. Nwankpa served as the Director of the African Union Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, from 2015 to 2023, where he led the quality control of veterinary vaccines used across Africa, ensuring their safety, potency, and effectiveness. During his tenure, he also advanced the harmonization standards and regulatory frameworks for animal vaccines. In addition, he held the position of Acting Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) between 2021 and 2023.

Over his career, Dr. Nwankpa has supervised several landmark projects, including the “OIE Sub-grant project to AU-PANVAC” and the “Vaccines Against Neglected Animal Diseases in Africa (VACNADA)” project funded by the EU through GALVmed. A widely published researcher, he has authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, with focus areas including transboundary animal diseases, vaccine evaluation, and diagnostic assay development. His contributions extend to technical reports, policy briefs, and training manuals that have supported veterinary laboratories and institutions across Africa.

Beyond research and administration, Dr. Nwankpa is deeply committed to capacity building and knowledge transfer. He has trained and mentored veterinarians, laboratory scientists, and researchers from across the continent, strengthening African capacity for animal disease surveillance, diagnosis, and control.

As Acting Director/Chief Executive of NVRI, Dr. Nwankpa brings a wealth of national and international experience, strategic vision, and a proven track record of leadership in veterinary science and vaccine development. His priorities include strengthening NVRI’s role as Nigeria’s foremost veterinary research institution, enhancing partnerships, and driving innovations that will improve animal health, food security, and livelihoods.