By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is recording unprecedented growth, with local drug production now approaching 60 percent, according to former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Olumide Akintayo.
Akintayo disclosed this during a health policy forum in Lagos, describing the figure as a “historic milestone” for an industry that has long battled overreliance on imported medicines.
For decades, Nigeria has imported up to 70% of its medicines, leaving the country vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and foreign exchange fluctuations. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the risks of this dependency, as international lockdowns and currency pressures triggered severe shortages.
According to Akintayo, the push for self-reliance, coupled with increased investments by local manufacturers, has transformed the sector in recent years.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but local pharmaceutical production has moved close to 60%,” he said. “This shows resilience and commitment from Nigerian manufacturers despite multiple challenges.”
Drivers of growth
Industry insiders say several factors have contributed to the rise in local drug production:
- Government incentives such as tax breaks and import restrictions on finished drugs have encouraged domestic investment.
- Private sector expansion with companies like Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Fidson Healthcare, and May & Baker scaling up their production capacity.
- Technology transfer partnerships with global pharma firms, improving standards and compliance with international best practices.
- Growing demand from Nigeria’s population of over 220 million, creating a strong local market for affordable medicines.
Despite the progress, experts warn that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry still faces significant hurdles. Chief among them are unreliable electricity supply, multiple taxation, and access to affordable financing.
Akintayo emphasized the need for government to sustain supportive policies: “If we don’t strengthen the enabling environment, the gains made so far could be reversed. Manufacturers need infrastructure, regulatory stability, and affordable credit to survive.”
Another pressing issue is the scarcity of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which Nigeria still imports almost entirely from India and China. Without local API production, experts say true pharmaceutical independence remains elusive.
Health experts have welcomed the shift towards local production, noting that it enhances medicine security and reduces treatment costs.
Dr. Amina Bello, a public health physician, told S24 Media House: “The closer we get to medicine independence, the safer Nigerians will be. Patients will no longer have to suffer when global shocks affect supply chains.”
Economists also highlight the industry’s growing role in job creation, technology development, and foreign exchange savings. With the sector expanding, thousands of skilled and unskilled jobs are being created across Nigeria.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has also played a role, raising quality standards and boosting consumer confidence in locally produced drugs.
NAFDAC’s push to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) has positioned Nigerian firms to explore regional exports. Already, West African countries are turning to Nigeria for affordable medicines, strengthening its role as a hub for pharmaceutical trade in Africa.
Akintayo called on policymakers to aim for 80% local production by 2030, arguing that Nigeria has the population, expertise, and market size to achieve pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.
“The next frontier is producing our own raw materials and APIs locally,” he said. “When we achieve that, Nigeria will no longer depend on other nations to keep its people alive.”
For now, the progress to 60% marks a significant shift for a country once entirely reliant on imported medicines. With the right policies, stakeholders believe Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry could soon rival others across Africa and beyond.
