Nigerian scientists working on Covid-19 vaccine get World Health Organisation endorsement

SIX Nigerian scientists have begun work on a home-grown coronavirus vaccine have had their efforts endorsed by the World Health Organisation and they remain confident that with time they will come up with a product that shall receive universal clinical approval.

Microbiologists from six academic institutions in the country are working flat out on the vaccine and they are optimistic of making a breakthrough next year. They are from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State; Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State; University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

This team is led by Julius Oloke, a professor of microbiology and biotechnology who is currently the vice-chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, a private institution in Ibadan, while the lead researcher is Kolawole Oladipo. Professor Oladipo, who holds a doctorate in medical virology, immunology, and bioinformatics, is also the head of the Department of Microbiology at Adeleke University.

Although the group had no prior experience with vaccine development, some of its members had produced an immune-boosting drug, Trino IB, while others had also participated in other research activities during their study years. According to the scientists, Trino IB, which is said to be good for the management of sickle cell, diabetes, fibroid, and other medical conditions, has been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

Professor Oladipo said that the objective of the study is for the team to contribute to scientific efforts towards fighting the pandemic. He added that they also perceive that there will be variants and the effectiveness of vaccines will vary, so the group is involved in translational research, one that an average person in the community can benefit from.

He said translational research seeks to produce more meaningful, applicable results that directly benefit human health, with the simple goal of translating basic science discoveries more quickly and efficiently into practice. Already, the team has received an endorsement from the World Health Organisation, which announced added them to its list of vaccine candidates in pre-clinical stage.