Key Components for planning and developing new pharmaceutical enterprises that produce COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria for local uptake

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic reignited global conversations around vaccine access, underscoring the urgent need for local manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its large population and growing pharmaceutical sector, Nigeria relied entirely on imported COVID-19 vaccines. This study investigates the critical components necessary to establish a vaccine manufacturing enterprise capable of meeting domestic demand in Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining interviews with six senior stakeholders in the regulatory and pharmaceutical sectors and a survey of 335 adults in Lagos State. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed to explore institutional, regulatory, and workforce-related barriers. Quantitative analysis assessed demographic predictors of public willingness to accept a locally produced COVID-19 vaccine. Interview participants identified core challenges including inadequate technical workforce, poor infrastructure, limited political support, and regulatory delays. Survey results showed that 76 percent of respondents would accept a Nigerian-made COVID-19 vaccine, with significantly higher acceptance among older adults and Muslim participants. Factors such as gender, employment, and educational attainment were not statistically associated with vaccine acceptance. This study contributes to ongoing discourse on regional vaccine self-reliance by offering an integrated analysis of supply-side constraints and demand-side readiness in an urban Nigerian context. These findings provide context-specific insights to support strategic planning, capacity building, and trust-building measures needed for sustainable local vaccine production.