By our Reporter
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has commissioned Nigeria’s first large-scale rapid diagnostic test (IVD) production facility and second of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The company, CODIX BIO Limited, an In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) factory, located along Sagamu expressway, with a scope to produce concentrated manufacturing test kits for HIV, Malaria, as well as Hepatitis B and C.
Governor Abiodun, while speaking at the event expressed delight over the giant strides, adding 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.
“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 aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is committed to reforms towards unlocking the healthcare value chain through local manufacturing firms to reduce importation,” he said.
The State helmsman added that over 90 percent of diagnostic kits used in Africa were 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.
He revealed 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 country save viable foreign exchange, create jobs, build industrial capacity, create employment, and improve health delivery.
Speaking, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the massive turnaround in the area of infrastructure across the State, noting that the State Government has found the magic source to connect talent with industrialisation, which would fuel growth in the area of medical manufacturing.
“I came from the airport 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 industrialising Ogun State,” he said.
Also, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in his speech, commended the present administration for the good job done at the Gateway International Airport, as well as making the business environment friendly for investors in the State.
Dr. Alausa, charged CODIX BIO Limited to look at the possibility of using its 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.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of CODIX BIO Limited, Mr. Sammy Ogunjimi, said that the factory was designed to be one of the largest and most advanced in Africa, stating that, the goal of the company was to serve not only Nigeria but the ECOWAS region and the entire continent of Africa.
“In Geneva, this factory, CODIX BIO, is announced as the first factory selected by the partnership of WHO, SD Biosensor, and MPP under the WHO H-TAP programme 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 noted.
Ogunjimi, acknowledged the State Governor for approving a 30 percent discount for CODIX, saying that the project would not have been possible without the kind support of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
