TETFund Boss Urges Accelerated Lassa Fever Vaccine Research as FUHSO Presents Key Findings, VC Seeks Centre of Excellence Status

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Dr. Sonny Echono, has called on Nigerian researchers to intensify efforts toward developing the country’s first vaccine against Lassa fever, describing the disease as a major public health challenge requiring urgent scientific intervention.  

Dr. Echono made the call in Abuja during the presentation of findings from the TETFund-funded Mega Research Project on Lassa Fever, undertaken by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, FUHSO, Benue State.  

Responding to the research outcomes, the TETFund boss said the findings underscored the need for Nigeria to move beyond academic research and focus on practical solutions capable of improving the lives of citizens. He challenged the research team to prioritise vaccine development, stressing that immunisation remains the most effective strategy for controlling infectious diseases.  

Dr. Echono assured the researchers of TETFund’s commitment to working with relevant government agencies to translate the findings into concrete public health interventions. He disclosed that the Fund would present the research outcomes to agencies such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and the Federal Ministry of Health. He noted that successful validation could strengthen the case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria.  

He commended the research team for producing findings capable of strengthening healthcare delivery and expressed optimism that better management and eventual control of diseases such as Lassa fever would significantly improve the country’s health system.  

The Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, Professor Francis Aba Uba, described the project as one of the institution’s most significant research initiatives. He recalled that about four years ago, TETFund awarded the university a N250 million Mega Research Grant to investigate Lassa fever, describing the gesture as a demonstration of confidence in the ability of Nigerian scientists to develop evidence-based solutions to critical public health problems.  

Professor Uba noted that recurrent outbreaks of Lassa fever continue to threaten lives, overwhelm healthcare facilities, and undermine health security across Nigeria and West Africa. He thanked TETFund for its continued support to the relatively young institution and appealed to the Fund and the Federal Government to designate FUHSO as a National Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research.  

Presenting the research findings, the Principal Investigator, Professor Joseph Okopi, disclosed that Nigeria bears the highest global burden of Lassa fever, with between 5,000 and 10,000 deaths recorded annually.  

Also presenting the clinical aspect of the research, Professor Audu Onyemocho said 1,266 participants were enrolled in the study, while 392 suspected Lassa fever cases were investigated across Benue and Kogi states. He added that bleeding, advanced age, and seizures emerged as the strongest predictors of death among confirmed patients.  

Speaking on future research priorities, former Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, and adviser to the research team, Professor John Idoko, said the ultimate objective of the project remained the development of a safe and effective Lassa fever vaccine.  

The presentation is expected to strengthen ongoing collaboration between FUHSO, TETFund, and national health agencies in the fight against Lassa fever, as the University continues to position itself as a leading centre for infectious disease research in Nigeria.