Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has assured the Republic of Cuba of the Nigerian Government’s plan to collaborate with them in the production of Coronavirus Vaccine.
He disclosed this while receiving in audience, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Pulido-Escandell on Monday in Abuja.
Dr. Onu lauded the Cuban government for their various interventions in Nigeria’s health sector particularly during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in the country.
In his words, Nigeria produced vaccine in the past, and now needs to produce their indigenous vaccines as the country gradually moves into medium income economy classification.
He reiterated Cuban contributions during the decolonization of African Nations by sending their military to fight for their independence.
Dr. Onu assured the Cuban Ambassador that Nigeria will leverage on the existing relationship between the two Countries in areas of Science, Technology and Innovation for economic and technological development.
Pulido-Escandell affirmed her presence in the ministry to learn, and share experiences in areas of indigenous discoveries and innovation, in order to build scientists capacity.
She further disclosed that her home country, Cuba, has already created capacity for the production of over hundred million Coronavirus vaccines for a population of 11.4million before the end of year 2021.