By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to expand Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, targeting support for more than 200 local manufacturers as part of measures to reduce dependence on imported medicines and improve access to affordable healthcare.
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PVAC), Dr. Mukhtar Abdul, disclosed this at the 2026 Joint Annual Review, where he highlighted ongoing investments, innovative financing mechanisms and industrial partnerships aimed at strengthening the pharmaceutical value chain.
Abdul said the initiative had introduced the Bridge to Scale financing mechanism, a donor-supported intervention designed to reduce borrowing costs and provide affordable financing for pharmaceutical manufacturers and other businesses within the healthcare value chain.
He noted that Nigeria’s growing capacity in pharmaceutical manufacturing was attracting interest from other African countries seeking to replicate the country’s model through cross-border investments and partnerships involving Nigerian manufacturers and regulatory institutions.
Among the achievements recorded, Abdul listed the commencement of local production of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, the establishment of diagnostic product packaging and manufacturing facilities, expansion of medical oxygen production capacity and investments in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
He further disclosed that a major pharmaceutical company was preparing to establish an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing plant, with operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027.
According to him, the development would mark a significant milestone for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, particularly in strengthening local capacity to produce essential components used in medicine manufacturing.
Abdul said PVAC would continue to support more than 200 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies while expanding financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises operating within the healthcare sector.
He added that the proposed Life Care Fund would provide an additional financing window for businesses, while collaboration with regulators and industry partners would support Nigeria’s ambition to attain higher World Health Organisation (WHO) regulatory maturity status and advance local vaccine manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency had intensified its regulatory enforcement activities to rid the country of counterfeit, substandard and falsified medicines and other regulated products.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Salihu Bello, disclosed that NAFDAC conducted 5,532 enforcement activities during the period under review, including 213 raids, 211 sanctions and 52 arrests.
She said the agency also seized 821 products, shut down 179 premises and destroyed counterfeit and expired products worth ₦22.73 billion through 22 destruction exercises.
On regulatory achievements, NAFDAC highlighted Nigeria’s attainment of full membership of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, making the country the 24th member.
Nigeria also became the 31st African Union member state to ratify and deposit its instrument of ratification for the African Medicines Agency agreement, strengthening its role in continental pharmaceutical regulation.
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For 2027, the agency identified the attainment of WHO Maturity Level 4 and WHO Listed Authority status, stronger enforcement, expanded digital product traceability, improved stakeholder engagement and deeper international regulatory cooperation as priority areas.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners and other stakeholders to build a resilient pharmaceutical industry capable of guaranteeing Nigerians access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical products.
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