By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has called for a gradual halt to the importation of medicines in order to reduce dependency and boost local production.
Mr Bankole Ezebuilo, the National Chairman of the association, made the call at the ongoing 29th Annual National Conference of NAIP, on Wednesday in Ilorin.
The theme of the conference is entitled: “Collaboration and Innovation to Build Local Solutions for the Future of Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry.”
The NAIP chairman emphasised the need to enhance global competitiveness and improve healthcare delivery within the country.
He explained that the theme was carefully selected to address the current challenges confronting the sector.
“No nation can outsource its health security, and no sector can thrive in isolation.
“We chose collaboration because the challenges before us are too complex, urgent, and interconnected for any single entity to solve alone.
“We chose innovation because doing more of the same will not take us where we need to go, and we chose local solutions because sustainability cannot be imported, it must be built deliberately, strategically, and collectively,” he said.
Ezebuilo called on the government to create enabling policies and urged industry players to invest boldly, just as he encouraged academia to align research with practical needs.
The expert on drugs and pharmaceuticals stressed the need for stakeholders to move from isolated efforts to an integrated system.
According to him, a nation that cannot produce its own medicines is a nation negotiating with its health and “negotiation is not where you want to be when lives are at stake”.
He noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment of continued dependence on importing over 70 per cent of the country’s medicines.
He pointed out that this exposes the country to currency volatility, global disruptions, and external decisions.
“On the other path lies sovereignty local innovation, resilient manufacturing, and an industry that not only serves Nigeria but leads Africa,” he said.
He stressed that no single stakeholder could address the challenges alone, adding that innovation, proper skill alignment, and strong capacity are essential for growth.
“When skills are misplaced, innovation stalls; when knowledge is shallow, quality is compromised; and when capacity is weak, we remain dependent on others for what we should produce ourselves,” he said.
Ezebuilo described capacity building as foundational, noting that it transforms willingness into competence, competence into excellence, and excellence into industry-wide impact.
“We must place capacity building at the centre, because without it, our best intentions will keep reversing course”, adding that the conference was designed to focus on practical, hands-on training.
“To build local solutions, we must stop importing not just medicines, but also ideas. The best way to predict the future is to create it.
“If we get it right, we will transform this industry, create jobs, reduce dependency, compete globally, and deliver healthcare locally.
“Let us move from ideas to execution, because the future of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry will not be imported, it will be built by skilled hands, trained minds, and a united ecosystem,” he explained.
In her lecture, Dr Henrietta Ukwu, the Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer at Novavax USA, emphasised the need for industry capacity building, meaningful collaboration, practical engagement, quality assurance, and professional development to drive the sector forward.
Her lecture was entitled: “Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry as a Pillar of National Health, Wealth, and Security.”
Ukwu noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources that remain largely untapped, urging stakeholders to leverage these opportunities to build a sustainable and globally competitive pharmaceutical industry.
“We have incredible expertise and all it takes to move the pharmaceutical industry forward, but we are not fully harnessing the natural resources Nigeria is endowed with.
“The Federal Government is making efforts and progress is being recorded, but there is still significant room for improvement,” she said.
She recommended the adoption of sustainable technologies, strengthened capacity building, improved infrastructure, consistent manufacturing quality, and the provision of stable electricity, water supply, and a conducive business environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr Theophilus Emeka, urged participants to embrace collaboration, innovation, and unity in building sustainable local solutions for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
