Date: 2020-05-06

The University of Ilorin, is currently leading the race to produce the first ever vaccine for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The institution yesterday said it will soon produce a vaccine for the dreaded disease that has crumbled global economic activities.

In a bulletin issued on Monday, the school said that a team of medical experts and scientists led by Prof. Mathew Kolawale of Medical Virology, is working on the project.

According to the University, the Kolawale-led research team had developed three viable proposals for research on various aspects of the Coronavirus.

Kolawole is the Director of the University's Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, IMSB.

He assured that his team had prepared proposals for the development of vaccines which will serve as cure for the dreaded disease.

Explaining further, he said the proposals include the molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19 as well as a prototype for the detection of COVID-19. The virologist added, however, that the only impediment is funding to support the research.

Kolawole said, "Proposals have been written by me and some of my research team.

"One is on the development of a vaccine; another has to do with molecular epidemiology surveillance for COVID-19, and the third 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."