China’s top virologist, Prof. George Gao, has led a scientific delegation to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) to explore opportunities for collaboration in infectious disease research, vaccine development and capacity building.
The delegation, which included experts from leading Chinese institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China CDC and Peking University, visited Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen global health partnerships, particularly with African institutions.
Prof. Gao said the engagement was aimed at fostering future collaboration, noting that global health challenges require cross-border cooperation, especially in addressing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
In response, the Director-General of NIMR, Prof. John Obafunwa, welcomed the delegation and expressed the institute’s readiness to partner with international organisations to enhance research capacity, vaccine production and diagnostics.
He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration, technology transfer and investment to move Nigeria from research potential to practical impact, while also pointing to funding and infrastructure challenges affecting local research capacity.
Both sides expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to meaningful partnerships, with discussions focusing on advancing vaccine development, genomics and other public health research priorities relevant to Africa.