End of Year Letter 2024: A YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION.

End Of Year Letter

2024: A YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION

Once again, I am delighted to write all of you as the year 2024 gradually ends. At the heart of our collective successes this year has been your enthusiasm and untiring dedication to the vision and mission of NVRI. Milestones achieved this year were because of our undying spirit of resilience and hard work which continues to inspire and drive “TEAM NVRI” to keep forging ahead despite difficult challenges. Indeed, 2024 has been a year of consolidation on the outlined objectives captured under the five pillars in the strategic plan which has defined our trajectory and served as a guiding compass on this interesting journey towards actualising NVRI's aspirations. I am by this letter updating you all on the major highlights for the year. As the only animal vaccine manufacturing centre in the country, this critical mandate is one which the Institute's management has devoted considerable efforts in sustaining over the last few years. As a result of strategic engagements on the need to scale vaccine production, the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) is extending support to the Institute to expand its existing fill and finish line while working towards securing funding for the completion of the new vaccine production facility. Through the support of the UK's FCDO, NVRI reviewed critical aspects of the report on feasibility for vaccine commercialization conducted last year. A Climate Resilience Infrastructure Development (CDEL) grant to equip the PPR vaccine production laboratory was secured under the Propcom + programme. This will enable NVRI to triple the production of PPR and NDV I-2 vaccines over the next 12 months. Building on the successes achieved in 2023, capacity building for staff continued with the training of 12personnel at the African Union –Pan African Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) laboratory, Ethiopia in new vaccine production techniques as well as other specialised trainings. Six (6) members of staff also visited the IMA-Life Aseptic and Freeze-Drying Solution Factory in Italy as a part of consultancy to engage with manufacturers of freeze dryer and fill and finish production line. This visit provided technical insights to enable the selection of appropriate aseptic vaccine manufacturing equipment for NVRI. To provide alternative back-up power for production activities, solar electricity installations were commissioned for the production facilities. Bacterial Vaccine Production laboratory has been given a considerable facelift to enhance efficiency in its operations. Investments are also being made in improving cold chain infrastructure by the installation of a new Cold room as well as the introduction of sustainable energy solutions to support vaccine production. These installations are expected to be completed by end of Q1 of 2025. These efforts represent significant investments in NVRI vaccine production and will lead to optimised manufacturing operations, skills, and capacity improvement, as we continue to strive towards scaling and commercialisation.

Management sustained its focus on pitching for grants to support research and innovation through the year. Progress in this regard can be seen by the number of collaborative projects and Memoranda of Understanding entered into with different partners with research work being conducted on One-health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), rabies, Newcastle disease, PPR, FMD, Mpox, Influenzas, Anthrax, Viral Haemorrhagicfevers, other infectious and transboundary animal diseases (TADs)etc. NVRI has showcased competence and capacity in collaborative research endeavours hence the continued interest by stakeholders and partners to embark on research projects with the Institute.

https://nvri.gov.ng/storage/image/files/1735337479-end-of-year-2024-(2).pdf

Dr. Maryam Muhammad

Director/Chief Executive