Welcome to the Vaccine Research Center, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is at the forefront of advancing healthcare in Africa by spearheading vaccine development and molecular research for diseases that disproportionately affect Nigeria in particular, and Africa at large.
Commissioned in May, 2024 with funding from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the African Academy of Sciences, VRC represents a significant step toward self-reliance in healthcare and disease prevention for both human and animal populations.
Our Mission
The VRC is committed to deepening research, driving innovation, producing vaccines, therapeutic and diagnostic solutions to address endemic yet neglected tropical diseases. Our focus is on training the next generation of African researchers and fostering collaborative partnerships at national and global levels to transform research findings into life-saving
programs.
Research and Development
At the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), we are driving research across a broad spectrum of neglected tropical diseases and other illnesses that disproportionately affect Africa including cancers. Our research spans areas such as vaccine development, diagnostics, and therapeutics for a wide array of diseases that have been overlooked yet continue to cause significant public
health challenges. Our goal is to generate scientific solutions that will improve health for both animal and human populations across the continent.
Our multidisciplinary team works tirelessly to address these pressing health issues, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to produce breakthroughs that can be translated into real-world healthcare improvements. By focusing on diseases that are often underfunded and neglected, we aim to close the gap in healthcare access and outcomes,
ensuring that both human and animal health is prioritized for the betterment of Africa’s future.
Current project
Under the leadership of Prof. Anika and Dr. Chinwe Chukwudi, the VRC is dedicated to studying the epidemiology and population genomics of diseases like African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which continues to cause significant suffering and economic losses across the continent. By conducting cutting-edge research, we aim to produce diagnostics, therapeutics
and vaccines that will address these challenges and improve public health.
Building Partnerships
VRC thrives on collaborations with governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Through these partnerships, we seek to ensure the broad implementation of our research, leading to improved human healthcare outcomes and enhanced livestock health and production.
Empowering African Researchers
Our center offers a supportive and dynamic environment for postgraduate and postdoctoral fellows to establish successful career paths. We are committed to nurturing African scientists who will lead future breakthroughs in healthcare and contribute to the continents scientific independence. We offer outstanding grant writing and hosting support to enhance successful grant and research outcomes for upcoming African scientists, leveraging on the ambient working environment to become globally competitive. At VRC, we believe in a future where Africa is self-reliant in healthcare solutions, and we are confident that with the dedication of our researchers and the backing of our partners and stakeholders, we will achieve groundbreaking results that will benefit generations to come.