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  • Lab scientist warns against dependence on foreign vaccine donations

    Lab scientist warns against dependence on foreign vaccine donations

    Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) National President, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, has warned against the country’s dependence on foreign vaccine donations .

    He called for urgent investment in indigenous vaccine development tailored to Nigeria’s unique epidemiological landscape.

    In an exclusive interview with The Nation, he advised the Federal Government to shift from what he described as “consumption-based dependency” to “research-led production capacity.”

    “We are celebrating the rollout of HPV vaccines, and rightly so,” said Dr. Ifeanyi. 

    “But what we’re not talking about is the need to have our own HPV vaccine, developed here in Nigeria, using data and variants that are specific to our population. That’s the conversation we must start now.”

    Nigeria introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation schedule in 2023, targeting girls aged nine to 14 years. 

    The goal is to protect them before potential exposure to the virus and curb cervical cancer, which kills thousands of Nigerian women annually. The campaign aims to reach 7.7 million girls by this year..

    But Dr. Ifeanyi is urging policymakers not to stop at distribution.

    “Vaccination is not just about injecting the antigen. It is a scientific and public health activity that must be backed by clinical evidence and continuous evaluation. Do these vaccines work for the types of HPV that are prevalent in Nigeria? That’s the missing link.”

    He said that Nigeria currently lacks a post-vaccination monitoring system to assess the effectiveness of the vaccines being administered.

     “We need a feedback system,” he emphasized. “Are we tracking antibody response? Are we seeing any breakthroughs or resistance? These are the data points that inform future policies. Right now, we’re flying blind.”

    According to studies, the HPV prevalence rate in Nigeria is estimated at 32%, with HPV types 16 and 18—commonly targeted by global vaccines—being the most widely implicated in cervical cancer. 

    But Dr. Ifeanyi says Nigeria cannot assume that imported vaccines address all relevant local strains.

    “We don’t know if other oncogenic strains unique to our region are being missed. Without local genomic surveillance and research, we’re assuming the imported vaccines are a perfect fit, and that’s a dangerous assumption.”

    Dr. Ifeanyi, who is also an infectious disease and public health expert, pointed to Nigeria’s historic capacity for vaccine production, citing the now-moribund Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory in Yaba as a symbol of lost potential.

    “We used to produce our own vaccines here in Nigeria. The infrastructure is still there, but neglected. 

    We need to revive those assets and invest in new technologies that empower us to make vaccines for our people, by our people.”

    He decried the vaccine strategy’s exclusion of boys, arguing that male carriers play a major role in HPV transmission and are also vulnerable to certain HPV-related cancers and infertility.

    “We must remember that HPV is not a female-only virus. Men are active carriers. Emerging evidence shows that HPV contributes to sperm death, infertility, and even penile and throat cancers. The fact that boys are not part of this vaccination programme is a missed opportunity.”

    Read Also: Lab scientists decry dearth of services in primary healthcare centres

    Dr. Ifeanyi added: “Why are we not talking about vaccinating our boys? Because the vaccines are donated and restricted to a specific demographic. If we had our own vaccines, we could design policies that fit our reality.”

    He also emphasized the importance of aligning health policies with local data rather than international trends. 

    “Our health sector must stop being reactive and donor-dependent. 

    If we keep waiting for foreign institutions to lead, we will always play catch-up. It is time Nigeria invests in its own scientific independence.”

    As Nigeria’s immunisation programme continues, Dr. Ifeanyi’s concerns reflect a growing consensus among health professionals who believe the HPV vaccine rollout should be the beginning of a broader public health transformation, not the end goal.

    “We have to begin with the end in mind,” he said. “That end is not just vaccinating girls. It’s building a health system that is inclusive,research-driven, and self-reliant. Anything short of that is a disservice to our future generations

  • Court restrains Odionyenma from parading self as AMLSN’s President

    Court restrains Odionyenma from parading self as AMLSN’s President

    A Federal High Court has issued an order restraining Dr. Uche Odionyenma from further parading himself as the President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).

    The interim order, issued ex-parte on October 30 by Justice Simon Amobeda, sitting in Kano, is to subsist until the hearing of a motion on notice for injunctions filed along with a substantive suit.

    A copy of the enrolled order seen in Abuja on Saturday, showed that the judge also directed that the originating summons and other documents in the suit, marked: FHC/KN/CS/413/2024 shall be served outside jurisdiction on Odionyenma.

    Justice Amobeda added: “The order of this court and processes herein shall be served on the respondent (Odionyenma), who shall respond within five days from the date of service.

    “Accelerated hearing of this matter is ordered. This matter is adjourned to 13th day of November 2024 for hearing.”

    While Odionyenma is listed as the sole defendant, plaintiffs in the suit are: Comrade Shehu Danjuma, Comrade Asika Innocent, Comrade Alhassan Gimba, Agwo Dagen, Namnso Akpan, Okeh Nwofoke, Ademiluyi David, Abubakar Usman, Okibe Odo, Oge Friday, Muhammad Danjuma and Faruk Ladan.

    The plaintiffs are, in the suit, accusing Odionyenma of among, others, attempting to forcefully assume the leadership of the association unlawfully.

    They stated that the tenure of the association’s 14th President, Prof. James Garba Damen ended on November 18, 2023, following which Dr. Casmir Cajetan Ifeanyi was duly elected as his successor.

    The plaintiffs added that, without participating in any election or being appointed, Odionyenma allegedly began claiming to be the association’s president.

    They are, in the substantive suit, praying the court for an order restraining the defendant from parading himself as the President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).

    The plaintiffs also want an order declaring that Odionyenma is not a validly elected officer of AMLSN.

    They are equally seeking an order that any actions taken by Odionyenma in his purported capacity as President be deemed null and void.

    They hinged their prayers on the grounds that the constitution of AMLSN stipulates that every officer shall hold office for a single term of three years unless removed or resigned.

    The plaintiffs added that since Ifeanyi was elected in the election conducted by the association’s Ad-hoc National Electoral Committee (ANEC)on November 18, 2023 the defendant has not participated in any other election conducted by ANEC since 2020.

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    They claimed that Odionyenma was not eligible to hold office due to prior indictment and that he is not a financial member of AMLSN by virtue of the association’s Administrative Guidelines.

    The plaintiffs added: “There is no court order nullifying Dr. Casmir Cajetan Ifeanyi’s election or challenging his presidency.

    “The actions taken by the counsel of the defendant to swear in the defendant were personal and not supported by any constitutional provision or court order.”

    The defendant is yet to file his defence to the suit.

  • AMLSN leadership crisis resolved

    AMLSN leadership crisis resolved

    • Odionyema becomes national president

    The leadership crisis rocking the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has been resolved, with stakeholders charting a way forward for development and sustainability.

    However,  Dr. Uche Odionyema has been sworn in as National President, bringing an end to the crisis.

     Former Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, and former Chairman of the Governing Board (MLSCN), Prof. Dennis Edo Agbonlahor, said: “We are optimistic about the outcome of the deliberations and direct all members to adhere strictly to these resolutions aimed at restoring peace and tranquility, coupled with direction to the Association.”

    Read Also: We are ready to develop COVID-19 vaccines locally, says AMLSN

    The stakeholders’ meeting, which was chaired by Agbonlahor, brought together 32 representatives from 14 critical stakeholders, including past presidents, national executive officers, and zonal representatives. They commended the Board of Trustees (BOT) for swearing in Odionyema as the National President.

    “We have resolved to enforce the AMLSN Constitution and Code of Conduct to address indiscipline among members,” said Dr. Odionyema, adding, “We will ensure electoral committees adhere to constitutional provisions and promote transparency and accurate information dissemination.”