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Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has formally handed over two original title documents for Federal Government property—No. 445 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, and No. 1 University Road, Yaba, Lagos—to Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL) for domestic vaccine manufacturing.
The documents were presented to Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL) through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), the trustee of the Federal Government’s interest.
Speaking at the event, the minister said the transfer fulfils the Federal Government’s equity commitment under the Joint Venture Agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
“You will recall that the Federal Government entered into a joint venture partnership with May & Baker to revive local production of vaccines. The partnership created Biovaccines Nigeria Limited as a Special Purpose Vehicle for mass production of vaccines for Nigeria and other West African countries,” he stated.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government holds 49 per cent equity in BVNL, while May & Baker holds 51 per cent. The government’s contribution consists of two properties: No. 445 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, and No. 1 University Road, Yaba, Lagos.
Darma noted that localising vaccine production goes beyond economics.
“The lessons of recent global health crises remain crystal clear. A nation that relies entirely on foreign supply chains for its critical vaccines remains fundamentally vulnerable. Localising vaccine production is not merely an economic ambition; it is a critical matter of national security,” he said.
In a statement, Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Badamasi Haiba, said that with the transfer completed, the minister urged the Board and Management of BVNL, led by Professor Oyewale Tomori, to translate the milestone into immediate operational progress.
“The expectations of the Nigerian people are high, and time is of the essence,” he added.
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The establishment of BVNL is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines, strengthen health security and position the country as a regional hub for vaccine production.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, had described the event as an important administrative and operational milestone in Nigeria’s effort to achieve health sovereignty and local vaccine production.
He noted that the partnership between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc was established as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to revive vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria.
Belgore emphasised that securing and transferring legal ownership of the property is essential for BVNL to attract capital investment, international partnerships, technology transfer and infrastructure financing.
He acknowledged the collaboration of key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, in completing the title documentation process.
In his remarks, the Executive Officer of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), Professor Oyewale Tomori, who was full of emotion, commended the Federal Government for the evidence of its equity.
He then reaffirmed the commitment of his organisation to work towards saving the lives of over 7–8 million children from dying yearly.
