Harvard Malaria Experts Hails NASENI-Troment Factory As Game Changer For Nigeria’s Disease Fight
Rashidat O. Okunlade Writes
A delegation of 85 global medical professionals, scientists, and policymakers from Harvard University has commended the newly established NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies factory in Abuja, describing it as pivotal to eradicating malaria and other infectious diseases across Nigeria and Africa.
The team, which is in Nigeria for the “Science of Defeating Malaria” leadership development course, toured the multi-million dollar facility on Sunday. They were particularly impressed that the factory produces 100 per cent Nigerian-owned diagnostic brands, including PCR kits and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).
A strategic healthcare partnership
Speaking during the tour, the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies, Mr. Selim Hani, explained that the factory is the product of a strategic partnership between the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Troment Nigeria Limited. The goal, he said, is to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sovereignty through local production of diagnostic technologies.
“This facility was built from ground zero in the last 18 months,” Hani said. “It focuses on manufacturing RDTs and in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, enabling early detection of major infectious and public health diseases.”
He added that diagnostic test kits under the N-CheckUP brand will be produced to test for malaria, Hepatitis B and C, HIV ½, pregnancy, COVID-19 antigen, typhoid, syphilis, blood glucose, among others.
600 million kits annually
Hani disclosed that the factory is designed to produce 600 million diagnostic kits per year, a move that will significantly reduce Nigeria’s and West Africa’s reliance on imported medical diagnostics while improving accessibility and affordability across the region.
Technical Partner, Dr. Engin Narinc, described the facility as “Africa’s first fully localized Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit factory.”
“From concept to full-scale launch, our end-to-end production process is designed to deliver world-class diagnostic solutions built entirely in Africa, for Africa,” Narinc said.
Harvard professor: ‘An amazing facility’
The delegation was led by Professor Dyann F. Wirth, a world-leading malariologist and team lead of the Science of Defeating Malaria Initiative at Harvard University. After touring various sections of the factory, she offered a strong endorsement.
“This is an amazing facility that would add value to the eradication of malaria and other public health diseases in Nigeria and the continent,” Wirth said.
The Science of Defeating Malaria leadership development course, which runs from June 7 to 13, 2026, in Abuja, trains global health professionals, scientists, and policymakers to eliminate and eradicate malaria.
