Nigeria’s healthcare industry is experiencing increased private sector investment, with at least 11 pharmaceutical manufacturing projects currently approaching completion as ongoing government reforms aim to make the country a major centre for medicine production in Africa.
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, revealed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with pharmaceutical industry leaders in Abuja under the IMPACT Project, themed “Strengthening Local Medicines Manufacturing Capacity: From Concept to Action.”
Mukhtar said recent government policies, improved incentives for investors and expanding market opportunities have strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector. He noted that the ongoing projects demonstrate progress in the country’s efforts to boost local production of medicines.
He added that the sector’s growing importance is also reflected in the performance of pharmaceutical companies, with four firms in the industry ranking among the top 10 performing stocks on the Nigerian Exchange in 2025.
The PVAC coordinator encouraged manufacturers to view Nigeria as a gateway to the wider West African market of about 460 million people rather than concentrating only on the domestic population.
He explained that Nigeria’s membership in the African Medicines Agency would further improve the country’s position by simplifying regulatory processes and making it easier for locally produced medicines to reach other African markets.
Mukhtar disclosed that some of the new investments include diagnostic test kit production facilities in Ogun and Nasarawa States, as well as a technology partnership with Bayer to manufacture family planning products in Anambra State.
He emphasized that continued progress in the sector would depend on stronger cooperation between government institutions, development partners, research organisations and private companies.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe, represented by Prof. Phillip Builders, said the IMPACT Project has progressed from planning stages to practical measures aimed at strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
He noted that since its launch in 2023, the programme has trained over 100 scientists, researchers and pharmaceutical professionals to support Nigeria’s medicine production ecosystem, describing local manufacturing as essential for healthcare security and economic growth.
Representatives from the World Bank, European Union and Standards Organisation of Nigeria also pledged continued support for regulatory improvements, technology transfer, quality control and financing initiatives aimed at expanding pharmaceutical production.
The European Union’s health programme representative in Nigeria, Dr. Anthony Anyeke, said the bloc remains committed to supporting pharmaceutical development through its Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Products (MAV+) initiative.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare product standards, encouraging innovation, reducing dependence on imports and supporting the growth of pharmaceutical exports.
