The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) at Redeemers University, Ede, have detected B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 additional samples in Nigeria.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, NCDC, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing.

“On January, 30, our partners at ACEGID detected the B.1.1.7 variant in six additional samples – five from Osun and one from Kwara State. This is the variant of concern that first emerged in the UK.

“The five in Osun is most likely related to the fact that this is where ACEGID is and where they get a lot of samples from. In total, we have detected the B.1.1.7 variant in seven cases within Nigeria.

“This could imply community transmission of this variant of concern. We are currently scaling up on genomic surveillance, working very closely with ACEGID. 

“Specifically, we have begun sequencing positive samples among travellers from the UK and South Africa, who test positive on the seventh day of testing.

Meanwhile, last week, state health minister Olorunnimbe Mamora said the country had no budget for the COVID-19 vaccine for 2021. His comments came barely two days after finance minister Zainab Ahmed made a similar disclosure about budget constraints. 

Still, administration officials insisted Nigeria will start taking gradual delivery of the vaccines later this month.

While in South Africa citizens are gearing up to get a jab as South Africa on Monday took delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.

President Cyril Ramaphosa posted a video on Twitter Monday evening that showed the consignment arriving in an Emirates flight with the caption: ‘Arrival of the first consignment of #COVID19 Vaccines #WeChooseVaccination.’

“Today marks a major milestone in our fight against the #coronavirus pandemic as we receive our first consignment of the vaccine. This batch will benefit our healthcare workers who have been at the forefront of keeping us all safe,” he said in a follow-up tweet.