Nigeria imports over 70% of medicines – Pharmacists

Bankole Ezebuilo, National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), has said Nigeria imports over 70% of our medicines, exposing us to currency volatility, global disruptions, and external decisions.

Ezebuilo, stated this at the 29th Annual National Conference of NAIP, held in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the theme: “Collaboration and Innovation to Build Local Solutions for the Future of Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry,.”

He called for a gradual halt to the importation of medicines in order to reduce dependency, boost local production, and improve healthcare delivery within the country.

Ezebuilo, explained that the theme was inspired by lessons from recent global supply chain disruptions and currency volatility, which exposed Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported medicines.

“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.”

Ezebuilo, called on the government to create enabling policies, urged industry players to invest boldly, and encouraged academia to align research with practical needs, stressing 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: “On one path lies continued dependence importing over 70% of our medicines, exposing us 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 stressed that no single stakeholder can 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 and that is why the conference was designed to focus on practical, and 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,” he said.

“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.”

Henrietta Ukwu, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer at Novavax USA, spoke on “Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry as a Pillar of National Health, Wealth, and Security.”

She emphasised the need for industry capacity building, meaningful collaboration, practical engagement, quality assurance, and professional development to enhance global competitiveness and drive the sector forward.

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,” she said.

“The federal government is making efforts and progress is being recorded, but there is still significant room for improvement.”

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.

Theophilus Emeka, Chairman of the Planning Committee, urged participants to embrace collaboration, innovation, and unity in building sustainable local solutions for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.