Over 90% of diagnostic kits used in Africa are being imported, mainly from Europe, Asia, and North America, according to a WHO report in 2023
By Ola Kay
Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commissioned Nigeria’s first ever large-scale rapid diagnostic test (IVD) production facility, which is now second of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
CODIX BIO Limited, is an In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) factory, is located along the Sagamu Expressway, with a scope of production that focuses on manufacturing test kits for HIV, Malaria, as well as Hepatitis B and C.
Speaking at the event which held on Friday, governor Abiodun expressed satisfaction over the feat, noting that with the capacity of the facility to produce about 147 million test kits annually, the factory marks the dawn of a new era in biomedical innovation in the country.
The governor said that, “Today, we open a transformative chapter in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with the official commissioning of CODIX BIO Limited. It is a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to strengthen its public health infrastructure and significantly reduce our dependence on imported diagnostic tools.
“We appreciate that this initiative is indeed aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is committed to reforms towards unlocking the healthcare value chain through local manufacturing firms to reduce importation,”
He pointed out that over 90% of diagnostic kits used in Africa are being imported, mainly from Europe, Asia, and North America, according to a WHO report in 2023, noting that the test kits offer a game-changing tool in early detection and also serve as a desirable instrument for effective disease management.
While commending the company, Abiodun said that the investment by CODIX BIO Limited speaks volumes of his administration’s economic vision, adding that the investment by CODIX BIO would help the Nigeria save viable foreign exchange, create jobs, build industrial capacity, create employment, and improve health delivery.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate Muhammad, commended governor Dapo Abiodun for the massive turnaround in the area of infrastructure across the state, saying the state government has found the magic wand to connect talent with industrialization, which he said would inspire growth in the area of medical manufacturing.
The minister said :”Your Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, I have to appreciate what I have seen in your state in terms of industrialization, the convergence, and the ecosystem you are trying to create.
“I came from the airport and, to see what is going on around and what I have heard about it, I think you’ve played an incredibly viable leadership in this direction, and I commend you and your team for what you have done.
“I hope other states, including my state, can learn a few things from what you have done in industrializing Ogun State.”
In similar vein, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in his speech, commended the governor for the good job done by his administration at the Gateway International Airport, as well as for making the business environment friendly for investors in the state.
Dr. Alausa charged CODIX BIO Limited to look at the possibility of using their factory as a training ground for the next generation of biomedical engineers, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and quality assurance professionals, encouraging the factory to deepen partnerships with universities, polytechnics, and research institutions not only to strengthen their workforce but to help develop the health innovation ecosystem.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of CODIX BIO Limited, Mr. Sammy Ogunjimi, said that the factory is designed to be one of the largest and most advanced in Africa, adding that the goal of the company is to serve not only Nigeria but also the ECOWAS region and the entire continent of Africa.
“In Geneva, this factory, CODIX BIO, is being announced as the first factory selected by the partnership of WHO, SD Biosensor, and MPP under the WHO H-TAP program to support regional manufacturing of rapid diagnostic test kits in Africa. What this means is that the factory is now officially within the scope of WHO and other partners for technical assistance,” he state.
Ogunjimi equally appreciated the Ogun State government for approving a 30% discount for CODIX, said that the project could not have been possible without the enabling support of the state Chief Executive.
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