Lagos: President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Lagos Cold and Dry Storage Hub, a future-ready vaccine storage and distribution cold chain facility, designed to serve 90.7 million Nigerians by 2035 and beyond.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Lagos Vaccine Hub is funded through a World Bank IDA Credit under the IMPACT Project, aimed at serving 90.7 million Nigerians across the South-West and South-South geopolitical zones. The facility’s catchment area includes the states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
Tinubu was represented at the facility’s inauguration by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Aina noted that the unveiling of the Lagos Vaccine Hub reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing primary healthcare, bridging infrastructure gaps, and ensuring that quality health services are accessible in every Nigerian community.
Aina explained that Nigeria’s pr
evious vaccine supply chain infrastructure, consisting of one National Strategic Cold Store and six zonal stores, could no longer meet the growing population’s needs. In response, the Federal Government, through the NPHCDA, developed the Three-Hub National Immunisation Supply Chain Model, which includes modern megastores in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. The Lagos Hub is the first to be commissioned under this new model.
Aina highlighted the collaboration between government and development partners, with contributions from Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organisation providing technical expertise and global partnership support. The NPHCDA coordinated the project’s implementation, and the Lagos Hub is seen as the first step in a broader initiative. The Abuja Hub, serving the North-Central and South-East zones, is under construction, while the Kano Hub for the North-West and North-East zones is set to commence later this year.
Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board,
emphasized that the hub is a significant investment in Nigeria’s immunisation program, enhancing vaccine security. Mustafa mentioned that Lagos State has the largest number of zero-dose children in the country and urged the NPHCDA for stronger collaboration to address this issue.
Dr. Maureen Ugochukwu from Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) praised the NPHCDA’s achievement, underscoring the importance of consistently available quality vaccines at every service delivery point in Nigeria. Emediong Ekere, Vaccine Cold Chain Logistics Consultant at UNICEF, noted that the development would optimize cold chain storage solutions and improve the efficiency of immunisation material distribution nationwide.
Dr. Amina Mohammed, National Programme Manager of the IMPACT Project, stated that the hub would facilitate faster access to life-saving vaccines and a more resilient supply chain. She detailed the facility’s structures, including Cold Store rooms and a Dry Store, both equipped for operational flexibility and efficiency. The
primary power is supplied by a natural gas generator, chosen to reduce emissions and fuel costs, aligning with Nigeria’s gas utilization agenda.