The executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Sonny Echono, has challenged Nigerian scientists to identify the fastest pathway towards developing the country’s first Lassa fever vaccine, describing the recurring disease as a major public health burden requiring urgent scientific solutions.
Echono gave the charge in Abuja on Tuesday during the presentation of a TETFund-sponsored Mega Research Project on Lassa Fever conducted by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
Speaking after receiving the findings, Echono said the research had reinforced the need for Nigeria to move beyond generating scientific evidence to developing practical interventions that directly improve the lives of citizens.
He urged the research team to prioritise vaccine development, stressing that immunisation remains the most effective strategy for controlling infectious diseases.
“What is the shortest route towards developing a vaccine to ensure that the burden on our people is reduced? Every year, thousands of Nigerians die from Lassa fever. How can we reduce this burden?” he queried.
“I know, a vaccine is usually the most effective mode of disease control. You vaccinate people, and they become almost immune. What is the fastest path, and how can TETFund support that drive so that we can achieve direct benefits and direct impact on the lives of Nigerians?” he stated.
He assured the researchers that the intervention agency would work with relevant government institutions to ensure the findings translate into national health policies and interventions.
“We will escalate these findings to the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Ministry of Health.
“If we receive the validation we expect, it will strengthen our case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria,” he said.
He commended the researchers for producing findings capable of improving healthcare delivery, pointing out that defeating diseases such as Lassa fever would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
In his earlier speech, the university vice-chancellor, Francis Uba, described the project as one of the institution’s most significant research investments, saying, ‘TETFund demonstrated remarkable foresight about four years ago by awarding the university a N250 million mega research grant to investigate Lassa fever.’
“This significant investment was not merely financial support; it was an expression of confidence in the capacity of Nigerian scientists and institutions to generate evidence-based solutions to one of our nation’s most persistent public health challenges,” he said.
He further stated that recurrent outbreaks of Lassa fever continue to impose heavy medical, social and economic costs on Nigeria and other West African countries by claiming lives, overstretching health facilities and threatening national health security.
“The project had generated valuable evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management and control of the disease while strengthening the university’s research infrastructure, laboratory capacity and collaborations with local and international partners.”
The vice-chancellor appealed to TETFund and the Federal Government to designate the institution as a National Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research, consolidate gains of the project and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases.
Presenting the findings, the project’s principal investigator, Joseph Okopi, said Nigeria remains the country with the highest burden of Lassa fever globally, recording between 5,000 and 10,000 deaths annually.
He described the TETFund-funded project as the largest multi-state population surveillance study on Lassa fever ever conducted in Nigeria.
“The study examined the prevalence of Lassa fever antibodies, identified rodent vectors, investigated transmission patterns and assessed the major risk factors associated with the infection.
“Benue State recorded the highest prevalence of Lassa fever antibodies among the five states surveyed. Adults aged between 20 and 40 years recorded the highest exposure to the virus because they are more involved in farming and other outdoor activities that increase contact with infected rodents.”
The study also identified poor housing conditions, rodent infestation, food contamination, leaking roofs and poorly fitted doors as major environmental risk factors for infection.
Also presenting the clinical findings, Audu Onyemocho said 1,266 participants were enrolled in the study, while 392 suspected cases were investigated across Benue and Kogi states.
He said 43 cases were confirmed through real-time polymerase chain reaction testing, with Benue accounting for 25 confirmed infections and Kogi recording 18.
Speaking on future research priorities, John Idoko emphasised that developing an effective vaccine should remain the country’s ultimate objective.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus and is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries.
The disease is primarily transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats, although human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings.
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