The University of Ilorin has announced that it would soon produce a vaccine for the coronavirus.
The information was made known by the institution in a bulletin issued on Monday, May 4, 2020, where it was revealed that a team of medical experts and scientists led by a Professor of Virology, Prof. Matthew Kolawole, is working on the project.
It was disclosed that the research team had developed three viable proposals for research on various aspects of the contagious disease.
Prof. Kolawole, the director of the school’s Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology (IMSB), gave the assurance that his team had prepared proposals for the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
He said the preparation includes the molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19 as well as a prototype for the detection of the virus.
The don added that only obstacle to their work is funding to support the research.
Kolawole said:
Proposals have been written by me and some of my research team.
One is the development of a vaccine; another has to do with molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19, and the their has to do with developing a prototype for case detection.
The prototype will hopefully be ready by next week for a pre-test. Once it is ready and fine, we will be seeking for funds.”
The IMSB director said that to develop the prototype for case detection, he and his team of researchers had been using their personal funds.
I have used my personal funds and members of my team have also contributed personal funds to develop the prototype, and this is the bane of research in Nigeria.
Ideas are there but when you don’t have funds you can do nothing.
I want to use this channel to appeal to the government to give us money, as there is the capacity to do more if research is funded.”
The Professor pointed out that ASUU is on strike and they are yet to receive salary for February and March, adding that he has been working and spending his money on the project.
