The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for a strategic partnership between Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry and academic institutions to promote local development of medicines and vaccines, ultimately reducing reliance on imports.
Delivering the 38th Prof. Victor Olufemi Marquis Memorial Lecture at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adeyeye praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent ban on the importation of products that are available locally, describing it as a “timely elixir” for strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
In her lecture titled “Industry, Regulatory, and Academia: The Future of Pharmaceutical Research and Development in Nigeria is Now,” the NAFDAC boss urged Nigerian universities to leverage their technological and knowledge resources to partner with the industry for meaningful research and development (R&D) outcomes.
“Universities are well-positioned to develop skills, transfer knowledge, and drive technology innovation,” Adeyeye stated. “An academia–industry linkage is crucial for national survival. It provides a formal platform for joint planning and implementing mutually beneficial projects.”
She revealed that NAFDAC already has partnerships with several Nigerian universities, underscoring the value of such collaborations in offering students hands-on learning experiences and strengthening the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Describing the academia-industry relationship as the “lifeblood of economic growth,” Adeyeye emphasized that increased collaboration would enhance competitiveness, innovation, and job creation. “When industrial development drives economic growth, unemployment is reduced, GDP rises, and the quality of life improves,” she added.
The Director-General highlighted that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry has made notable strides over the past seven years, driven by rising demand, regulatory reforms, and initiatives such as President Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order. This policy has led to the establishment or revitalization of about 30% of local pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
To further bridge the gap between innovation and industry, Adeyeye announced plans to launch a pilot R&D collaboration between selected universities and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The programme will pair academic institutions with manufacturers to develop products tailored to their specific needs.
The Nigeria Natural Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA) will also be involved in the collaboration, with its CEO actively working with the National Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) to enhance the initiative.
Adeyeye also pointed to areas for potential collaboration, including clinical trials, bioequivalence studies, vaccine development for diseases like Lassa fever, and technology transfer, particularly in local vaccine “fill and finish” operations.
She emphasized the need for Nigeria to reduce its dependency on foreign donations and aid in the health sector, stressing that self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production is a key goal.
The NAFDAC DG concluded by reaffirming the essential role of regulatory agencies in fostering local pharmaceutical innovation, asserting that Nigeria is on track to achieve greater self-reliance in the sector.
