News
EU, Nigeria sign €18m agreement on local vaccine production and medical technologies

EU, Nigeria sign €18m agreement on local vaccine production and medical technologies
By: Michael Mike
The European Union and Nigeria have signed a cooperation agreement on an €18 million EU support to enhance research and development capacities for implementing Nigeria’s national plan for the pharmaceutical industry and local production of vaccines and medical technologies.
The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms Jutta Urpilainen, and the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Ms Didi Esther Walson-Jack, jointly signed the agreement at the EU Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education held in Brussels on Thursday.
The new collaboration underlines the EU’s strong commitment to education and health equity.
Urpilainen said: “Economic growth is dependent on an educated, skilled workforce and healthy societies, and investing in strengthening education and health systems worldwide is an integral part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. Our investments in quality education, research and training seek to empower future generations by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need in a changing world to tackle global challenges and build prosperity.”
The European funding signed on Thursday under the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) will support the wider enabling environment around Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, notably by promoting: skills development through education and training; research and development (e.g. research in artificial intelligence and nanotechnology); the digitalisation of essential dimensions of the ecosystem; a centralised system for forecasting, procurement and distribution of quality medical products; trade, investment and customs facilitation, intellectual property rights frameworks and conditions, and an enabling environment for preferential trade and investment.
Urpilainen also signed 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme projects funded by the EU with €27 million under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa. The projects will provide learning mobility opportunities for students, trainees and staff across the continent to boost high-level green and digital skills.
Nigeria will benefit from six projects: CB4EE – Capacity Building for Engineering Education Practice and Research (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, with the participation of the University of Lagos-Unilag); CREATE-Green Africa – Climate Research and Education to Advancing Green Development in Africa (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, with the participation of the University of Port-Harcourt); GENES II – Mobility for Plant Genomics Scholars to Accelerate Climate-Smart Adaptation Options and Food Security in Africa II (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, coordinated by the Ebonyi State University); GREEN STEM – Green, Resilient and Entrepreneurial Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for Africa (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, with the participation of the University of Lagos-Unilag); HCE Solutions – Promoting Inclusive Homegrown Clean Energy Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, coordinated by the Federal University of Technology and with the participation of the University of Nigeria); ORPHAN – Mobility for High Skilled Scientists and Entrepreneurs on Orphan Crops in Higher Education for Accelerated Climate Change Solutions in Africa (€1.8 million of EU funding in total, with the participation of the Ebonyi State University).
Urpilainen also launched a key initiative of the Youth Action Plan in EU external relations, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy, which will provide opportunities for formal and informal learning and exchanges to young people looking to improve their leadership skills and create networks between Africa and Europe.
According to a statement, Nigeria can also benefit from the regional Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa, launched, which will orient country-level vocational training initiatives towards concrete employment opportunities created by Global Gateway investments.
The Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) works with African partners to strengthen their pharmaceutical systems and manufacturing capacity to improve access to quality, safe, effective and affordable health products. It offers a 360-degree approach through the supply side, the demand side, and the enabling environment, and six work streams: industrial development, supply chains and private sector; market shaping, demand and trade facilitation; regulatory strengthening; technology transfer and intellectual property management; access to finance; R&D, higher education and skills.
The statement emphasized that education is a powerful mechanism to address inequality and poverty, boosting human potential, opening doors for girls, youth and marginalised groups, and providing a springboard for human connections, debate and democratic values. It also creates an enabling environment for investments in digital and green transformations to succeed, and forms an integral part of the EU’s Global Gateway offer to partner countries.
The European Union remains the leading investor in education worldwide. The EU institutions and Member States provide more than 50% of all official development aid to education worldwide. The EU is committed to dedicating at least 10% of its international partnerships budget for the period 2021–2027 to education, and in the period 2021–2023, its commitments have amounted to around €3 billion, approximately 13% of the budget.
EU, Nigeria sign €18m agreement on local vaccine production and medical technologies
News
Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp

Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp
By: Zagazola Makama
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old girl for allegedly dumping a newborn infant’s body in a pit toilet within the Charamari Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno.
According to a Police source on May 22, 2025, at about 9:15 a.m., it was reported that earlier the same day at around 6:00 a.m., the body of a newly born infant was found abandoned in one of the camp’s pit toilets.
The sources said that the suspect, identified as Yafalmata Alhaji Mustapha, aged 15 years, and a resident of the camp, is currently in police custody for investigation.
“Police and medical experts visited the scene where photographs were taken, and the infant’s body was evacuated to General Hospital Monguno. The medical doctor confirmed the infant dead upon arrival, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital for autopsy,”said the sources.
Following the autopsy, the body was released to the Camp Chairman of Charamari IDP Camp for burial according to Islamic rites.
Borno police arrest 15-year-old over infanticide in Monguno IDP camp
News
Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno

Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two armed robbers were fatally injured by angry villagers following an attack at Charimeleri Bush in Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred occurred on May 21, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m., when two unknown armed men armed with machetes, knives, bow and arrow pursued two young boys, Abdu Ali and Abba Ali who were grazing a flock of 25 sheep in Charimeleri Bush.
The suspects stole the entire flock and fled, but the boys ran home to alert their father, Bukar Umara. Villagers quickly mobilized and followed the rustlers’ footprints, eventually intercepting them and recovering the stolen sheep.
A violent confrontation ensued during which one of the robbers stabbed a villager, Fannami Bukar, in the chest. The villagers retaliated, fatally injuring both suspects, leading to their death.
Security forces promptly visited the scene, documented the incident with photographs, and recovered exhibits including a bow and arrow, a sheath knife, and two head veils.
The two injured robbers were rushed to Gubio General Hospital where they were certified dead by the attending doctor.
The stabbed victim was taken to the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) Gubio for treatment and is reportedly responding well to medical care.
Angry villagers killed two Armed robbers in Gubio, Borno
Crime
Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Police Force in Ogun has arrested one of its officers, Police Constable Idris Oloyede, over alleged involvement in conspiracy, stealing, cybercrime and other related offences.
Zagazola was reliably informed that the arrest was carried out on Wednesday by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.
A police sources told Zagazola that Oloyede, who bears Force Number 537972, is attached to the patrol team at Odeda Divisional Headquarters.
According to the police sources, the arrest followed credible intelligence and investigation that linked the officer to the suspected crimes.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Odeda Division immediately released the officer for further interrogation upon the arrival of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for detailed investigation.
Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun
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