CBN set to fund research for Nigeria coronavirus vaccine

Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed that the CBN will be funding a research for a Nigerian Coronavirus vaccine. 

Emefiele made this known at the unveiling of THISDAY Dome testing, tracing, and treatment centre on Tuesday in Abuja. He said they are currently designing a framework which includes grants and long term facilities for “researchers, science institutions and biotechnology firms to develop the Nigerian Vaccine.”

Emefiele also revealed that the CBN recently launched a N100bn healthcare intervention fund and several initiatives such as the provision of one trillion naira facility for firms operating in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The CBN Governor said; 

“Needless to state that if we are to wait for foreign countries to develop their own vaccines, we will be the last in the queue to receive curative remedies for our teeming population. 

“Practitioners in the Pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors will be able to access finance at a single-digit rate through this fund. 

“We are also working with financial institutions to enable the continuous flow of credit to viable businesses while putting in place provisions such as moratoriums and restructuring of existing loans under CBN intervention funds, that have been provided to businesses.”