The National Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on local drug manufacturing, warning that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported medicines poses a serious risk to the country’s health security.
Speaking during the 29th Annual National Conference and Training of NAIP held in Ilorin, Kwara State, the association’s National Chairman, Bankole Ezebuilo, stressed the need for Nigeria to transition from a major importer of medicines to a leading pharmaceutical production hub in Africa.
Nigeria Still Imports Majority of Its Medicines
According to Ezebuilo, Nigeria currently imports more than 70 percent of its medicines and relies heavily on foreign countries for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), the essential components used in drug production.
He warned that this level of dependence leaves the country vulnerable to:
- Global supply chain disruptions
- Foreign exchange instability
- Rising healthcare costs
- Drug shortages during international crises
He emphasized that no country can guarantee effective healthcare delivery without developing its own pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
Call for Urgent Government Action
Ezebuilo urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to introduce aggressive policies that would support local pharmaceutical production.
According to him, building a strong pharmaceutical industry requires:
- Stable electricity supply
- Improved access to foreign exchange
- Better industrial infrastructure
- Strong collaboration between government and private sector players
He also noted that Nigeria must focus on innovation, technical expertise and long-term industrial development rather than relying solely on imported solutions.
NAIP Pushes for Pharmaceutical Sovereignty
The conference, themed “Collaboration and Innovation to Build Local Solutions for the Future of Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry,” brought together regulators, manufacturers, policymakers and healthcare stakeholders.
Participants discussed strategies to strengthen local drug production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign pharmaceutical products.
Ezebuilo stated that industrial pharmacists in Nigeria are fully prepared to drive what he described as a “pharmaceutical industrial revolution” if given the right support and enabling environment.
Healthcare Outreach and Community Support
As part of its activities, NAIP also renovated healthcare centres worth millions of naira at the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin.
The association additionally organised free medical outreach programmes for over 1,000 residents in Ilorin and nearby communities through its humanitarian initiative.
The outreach included:
- Free medical consultations
- Drug distribution for indigent patients
- Specialized healthcare interventions
- Support for primary healthcare facilities
- Top Industry Leaders Attend Conference
The event featured a keynote presentation by US-based pharmaceutical executive Henrietta N. Ukwu.
Several notable figures in Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector attended the conference, including:
- Sam Ohuabunwa
- Olumide Akintayo
- Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed
Representatives of the Kwara State Government were also present, signalling growing support for local pharmaceutical industrialisation.
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