Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama: “We Will Need China For Vaccines”

A COVID-19 patient receives oxygen therapy at the Lagos State Isolation Centre, in Yaba, Lagos. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama confirmed on Friday that talks are underway with China to secure large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines. Until recently Nigeria has fared relatively well in terms of infections but now it appears that new variants of the virus are spreading faster.

“What we are engaging with China is in the area of vaccines for COVID-19, so we are also looking to import, to acquire significant vaccines from China and other partners too,” said Onyeama. “I think in the short immediate time that is an area we will need China. They have cooperated with us with regards to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other things in our COVID response,” he added.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.