The Federal Government has officially granted the University of Jos (UNIJOS) a 20-year patent licence for its groundbreaking invention of an Anti-Tick Vaccine, known as JUTVAC-NG, a major scientific breakthrough expected to transform livestock health and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
The announcement was made in a statement by Abdullahi Abdullahi, Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications) of the university, who disclosed that the approval came following the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President approved the university’s request to hold exclusive rights to the vaccine, allowing it to fully exercise all associated benefits for the next two decades.
The patent approval was formally conveyed via a letter from Jane Igwe, Registrar of the Patent and Design Registry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, confirming that the intellectual property rights are vested in UNIJOS and the inventors — Professor Goni Abraham Dogo, of the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, and Professor Tanko Ishaya, Vice-Chancellor of UNIJOS and professor in the Department of Computer Science.
Under the Patents and Designs Act, Cap 344 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, no individual or entity may reproduce, imitate, or apply the innovation without express permission from the university or the inventors.
The vaccine, which was developed with support from TETFUND National Research Fund (NRF) grants, is expected to significantly reduce tick infestations among livestock, thereby improving animal health, enhancing agricultural output, and boosting the livelihoods of rural and farming communities.
The Federal Government, in issuing the patent, also encouraged the university and its research team to ensure the vaccine is deployed for public good, with the potential to impact public health, food security, and the economy.
In his reaction, Professor Tanko Ishaya, who is also part of the inventing team, expressed deep appreciation for the federal government’s support and pledged the university’s commitment to ensuring that JUTVAC-NG becomes a transformative tool in national development.
“This recognition not only validates our work but also motivates us to continue pursuing solutions that benefit society,” Ishaya said.
Also speaking, co-inventor Professor Goni Abraham Dogo described the achievement as a landmark in scientific innovation and public health advancement, assuring that the research team will continue to nurture talent and drive progress across the academic and scientific landscape.
“This is not just a victory for UNIJOS, but a step toward a healthier and more productive Nigeria,” he stated.
The development positions UNIJOS at the forefront of biomedical innovation in Africa, and the JUTVAC-NG vaccine is anticipated to play a crucial role in improving Nigeria’s livestock sector and supporting economic diversification through agriculture.
