Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo Presents Lassa Fever Research Findings, TETFund Boss Calls for Accelerated Vaccine Development

The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State, has presented findings from its TETFund-funded Mega Research Project on Lassa fever, with the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr. Sonny Echono, urging Nigerian scientists to accelerate efforts toward developing the country's first Lassa fever vaccine.

Dr. Echono made the call during the presentation of the research findings in Abuja, describing Lassa fever as a major public health challenge that requires urgent scientific intervention.

He said the project's findings highlighted the need for Nigeria to move beyond academic research by developing practical solutions capable of improving public health outcomes. According to him, vaccine development should now become the research team's top priority, noting that immunisation remains the most effective strategy for controlling infectious diseases.

The TETFund Executive Secretary also reaffirmed the agency's commitment to working with relevant government institutions to translate the research findings into practical health interventions. He disclosed that the results would be presented to agencies including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health for further validation, adding that successful outcomes could strengthen the case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria.

Dr. Echono commended the FUHSO research team for producing findings capable of improving healthcare delivery and expressed confidence that better management and eventual control of diseases such as Lassa fever would significantly strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, Prof. Francis Aba Uba, described the study as one of the university's most significant research achievements. He recalled that TETFund awarded the institution a ₦250 million Mega Research Grant about four years ago to investigate Lassa fever, describing the funding as a strong vote of confidence in the ability of Nigerian researchers to provide evidence-based solutions to critical public health challenges.

Prof. Uba noted that recurring outbreaks of Lassa fever continue to claim lives, place enormous pressure on healthcare facilities, and threaten health security across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

He thanked TETFund for its sustained support for the relatively young university and appealed to the Federal Government and the intervention agency to designate FUHSO as a National Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research.

Presenting the scientific findings, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Joseph Okopi, disclosed that Nigeria carries the highest global burden of Lassa fever, with an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 deaths recorded annually.

Also presenting the clinical component of the study, Prof. Audu Onyemocho revealed that 1,266 participants were enrolled in the research, while 392 suspected Lassa fever cases were investigated across Benue and Kogi states. According to him, bleeding, advanced age, and seizures were identified as the strongest predictors of death among confirmed Lassa fever patients.

Speaking on the next phase of the research, former Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and adviser to the research team, Prof. John Idoko, said the ultimate goal of the project remains the development of a safe and effective vaccine against Lassa fever.

The presentation is expected to strengthen collaboration between FUHSO, TETFund, and national health agencies as efforts continue to advance infectious disease research and improve public health interventions in Nigeria.