Nigeria’s push to reduce dependence on imported medicines is yielding results, with local pharmaceutical manufacturing rising by 25 per cent and targeted drug imports falling by 70 per cent.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Invest in Nigeria Conference and Expo 4.0, urging investors from over 43 countries to establish pharmaceutical and medical-device production in Nigeria.
She attributed the growth to NAFDAC’s 5 Plus 5 policy and Ceiling List, which restrict imports of medicines that can be produced locally. The Ceiling List has expanded from nine products in 2020 to 36, helping shift the import-to-local production ratio from 70:30 in 2019 to 50:50 by 2025.
The number of pharmaceutical manufacturers has also risen from 174 to 190, while contract manufacturing increased from 10 companies in 2019 to 87 in 2026.
Adeyeye said 37 existing manufacturers are upgrading their facilities, while 28 have completed construction and commenced operations. The agency also recorded 16 new pharmaceutical manufacturers and six new medical-device and diagnostic companies.
She linked the progress to regulatory reforms and the Federal Government’s 2024 Executive Order removing tariffs, excise duties and VAT on machinery, equipment and raw materials for local healthcare manufacturing.
Adeyeye urged more investors to produce locally, saying increased domestic manufacturing is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s food and drug security.
