The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch. 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 made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the official presentation of the outcomes of the TETFund-sponsored Mega Research Project on Lassa Fever conducted by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State.
Reacting to the findings presented by the research team, Echono said the results underscored the need for Nigeria to move beyond research to practical interventions capable of directly improving the lives of citizens.
He stressed that vaccine development should now become the priority, noting that immunisation remains the most effective strategy for controlling infectious diseases.
“What is the shortest route towards developing a vaccine? How can we 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 asked.
He added: “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?”
The TETFund Executive Secretary assured the researchers that the agency would engage relevant government institutions, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health, to ensure the research findings inform national health interventions.
According to him, successful validation of the study could strengthen the case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria.
Echono commended the research team for producing findings capable of improving healthcare delivery and contributing to efforts aimed at controlling endemic diseases.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, Prof. Francis Aba Uba, described the project as one of the institution’s most significant research undertakings.
He recalled that about four years ago, TETFund awarded the university a N250 million Mega Research Grant to investigate Lassa fever, describing the intervention as a demonstration of confidence in the ability of Nigerian researchers to address pressing national health challenges.
According to him, the project has generated critical scientific evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management and control of Lassa fever while strengthening the university’s research infrastructure, laboratory capacity, human resource development and international collaborations.
Uba appealed to TETFund and the Federal Government to designate FUHSO as a National Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research to consolidate the gains recorded through the project.
Presenting the research findings, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Joseph Okopi, said Nigeria remains the country with the highest global burden of Lassa fever, recording between 5,000 and 10,000 deaths annually.
He disclosed that the TETFund-funded project represents the largest multi-state population surveillance on Lassa fever ever conducted in Nigeria, investigating antibody prevalence, rodent vectors, transmission patterns and associated risk factors.
Among the study’s key findings, Okopi revealed that Benue State recorded the highest prevalence of Lassa fever antibodies among the five states surveyed, while adults aged between 20 and 40 years were the most exposed because of their involvement in farming and other outdoor activities.
The study also identified poor housing conditions, rodent infestation, food contamination, leaking roofs and poorly fitted doors as major environmental risk factors.
Contrary to popular belief, however, the research found that eating rodents was not an independent predictor of Lassa fever infection.
Also presenting clinical findings, Prof. Audu Onyemocho said 1,266 participants were enrolled in the study, while 392 suspected cases were investigated across Benue and Kogi states.
He disclosed that 43 cases were confirmed through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, comprising 25 cases in Benue and 18 in Kogi.
According to him, bleeding, advanced age and seizures emerged as the strongest predictors of mortality among confirmed patients.
Speaking on future research priorities, former Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and adviser to the research team, Prof. John Idoko, said the ultimate objective remains the development of a safe and effective Lassa fever vaccine for Nigeria.
