President Muhammadu Buhari says his decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine in public is “a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines”.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had early on Friday cleared the 3.924m doses of AstraZeneca vaccine which arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday 2nd February for usage in the country.
The President stated this after he, alongside Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, received the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday in the New Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari and Osinbajo got the jab live on TV, a day after the COVID-19 national vaccine programme commenced with the vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Chief Physician to the President, Dr. Sanusi Raafindadi administered the vaccine to him while the Vice-President was vaccinated by his Personal Physician, Dr. Nicholas Audifferen.
Shortly after being administered the vaccine, the President urged all State governments, traditional and religious leaders to take the lead in the mobilisation effort within their environment and spheres of influence.
“I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians to do the same so that we can be protected from the virus.
“Yesterday, our frontline medical personnel, top on the priority list, were vaccinated.
“Today, as a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians to do the same so that we can be protected from the virus.
“The vaccine offers hope for a safe country, free of Coronavirus.
“I, similarly, urge all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority, already mapped out, at the various authorised designated centres.”
The President congratulated the PTF on COVID-19 for the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of the pandemic.
He also acknowledged and commended the support of Governments, donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as critical stakeholders who have supported Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.
The President gave assurance that all the resources will be equitably administered.
Buhari noted that since the beginning of the year 2020, humanity had remained under the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unseen but very potent enemy around the world.
“Infection from the virus has resulted in over two million and five hundred thousand fatalities and destroyed several global and national systems.
“The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region has been robust, collaborative and united.
“It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that no country is safe until every country is safe’.
“The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic.
“Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries.”
He said the PTF had given assurance that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which Nigeria had accessed, would arrive in batches beginning with the four million doses already received.
President Buhari said that the rollout and administration plan would cater for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population in 2021 and 2022.
Earlier in his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, described the vaccination as a demonstration of leadership by the President and the Vice-President.
He expressed the hope that by offering themselves to be vaccinated on live TV, Nigerians would believe in the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Today, Mr. President and the Vice-President demonstrated leadership by offering themselves for the Nigerian people to believe in the safety and the efficacy of the vaccines that we have procured and deployed.
“The truth about its excellence is that, very soon, nobody will be able to travel the world, unless you produce the certificate that we have been given”, he said.
The vaccination was witnessed by members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
- Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri Quits From PDP - October 16, 2025
- Students Give ASUU, Federal Government 7 Days To Resolve Ongoing Disputes - October 16, 2025
- Yobe Retirees To Receive N5.8bn In Outstanding Gratuity - October 16, 2025