About the Vaccine Research Center
The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka is the first of its kind in Nigeria, established to advance healthcare and spearhead the development of vaccines for diseases that disproportionately impact Nigeria and Africa. Inaugurated in 2024, the center is equipped with funding from the United States National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Our Mission
The VRC aims to:
 Conduct research on endemic but neglected tropical diseases
 Develop and produce vaccines for these diseases
 Train the next generation of African vaccine researchers
 Establish collaborative partnerships nationally and globally

Key Focus Areas
 Epidemiology and population genomics of African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
 Vaccine development for diseases affecting human and animal health in Africa
 Translating research into widespread healthcare programs.

Our Impact
The VRC is poised to:
 Contribute to healthcare self-reliance in Nigeria and Africa
 Achieve breakthroughs in human and animal health
 Improve livestock health and production
 Save lives through innovative vaccine research and development

Partnerships
We collaborate with:
 Government agencies
 International organizations
 Private sector partners
Our goal is to nurture African researchers and provide a supportive environment for postgraduate and postdoctoral fellows to establish successful career paths in vaccinology and infectious disease research