The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced Nigeria’s involvement in a groundbreaking HIV vaccine initiative aimed at advancing prevention efforts across Africa. At a press briefing held Thursday in Abuja, NACA Director-General Temitope Ilori shared details of the “HIV Vaccine Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa” (HIV-VISTA) project. This program, backed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by the BRILLIANT consortium, is focused on accelerating HIV vaccine development on the African continent.
HIV remains a formidable public health challenge in Nigeria and beyond, noted Ms. Ilori. While significant strides have been made in reducing new infections and managing the disease, an effective vaccine is still essential to halt transmission rates. “The HIV-VISTA project offers hope for a vaccine tailored to the needs of our population, and Nigeria’s involvement in this global initiative is critical,” she said. “Our participation supports both local and international efforts to end AIDS and brings us closer to a vaccine that could save countless lives across Africa and beyond.”
The project comes at a crucial time, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recently identified HIV, alongside malaria and tuberculosis, as one of the top priorities for new vaccine development. Currently, Africa bears 65 percent of the global HIV burden, with Nigeria contributing 1.9 million cases, making it the fourth-largest HIV-burdened country in the world.
Funded by USAID with an award of over $45 million, the HIV-VISTA project will focus on evaluating promising HIV vaccine candidates, particularly those originating from Africa. The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at Nigeria’s Institute of Human Virology will lead the effort in partnership with other African countries including South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. Dr. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of IRCE, emphasized the importance of African innovation in addressing the continent’s unique health challenges. “We are thrilled to partner with the government of Nigeria and colleagues from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique in this endeavour,” she said.
The IHVN CEO, Patrick Dakum, highlighted that the institute has been a pivotal force in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Nigeria, working for nearly two decades under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). “This partnership brings us closer to fulfilling our vision of an HIV-free Nigeria and Africa by including an effective vaccine in our toolkit,” he said.
Ezekiel James, Deputy Director of USAID’s office for HIV/TB, underscored USAID’s commitment to supporting HIV research and collaboration with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders across Africa. “We are optimistic about the outcomes of this project and the potential it holds to achieve HIV epidemic control across the continent,” he said.
The HIV-VISTA project marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s and Africa’s contribution to global vaccine research, offering hope for a future free from the devastating impacts of HIV/AIDS.
