Dayo Oyewo
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has reiterated its resolve to reshape the country’s pharmaceutical industry through intensified local production efforts, targeting 70 per cent domestic manufacturing of medicines.
In a press statement made available to The Punch on Wednesday, ahead of the eighth edition of the Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo, the Managing Director of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Patrick Ajah, said PMG-MAN’s strategic vision aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to reverse Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.
Ajah, who also chairs the exhibition planning committee, explained that the expo was designed to promote indigenous pharmaceutical production by prioritising locally manufactured products and supporting companies contributing to Nigeria’s local content agenda.
According to him, only foreign exhibitors whose products or services support local manufacturing, such as machinery and production materials not currently available in Nigeria, would participate in the exhibition.
He noted that the pharmaceutical industry was already witnessing significant growth, citing the emergence of new factories and increasing interest from companies seeking membership of PMG-MAN. “The momentum in local pharmaceutical manufacturing is encouraging. We are seeing more factories springing up across the country, and many companies are seeking to become members of PMG-MAN. This clearly shows that government policies and our advocacy efforts are yielding positive results,” he stated.
He also stressed that recent global supply chain disruptions had further highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen local drug manufacturing capacity, saying, “With the geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes, including the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, imported pharmaceuticals are vulnerable to disruptions. This validates the need for Nigeria to accelerate local manufacturing.”
Ajah further stated that PMG-MAN was championing a transition where Nigeria moves from importing 70 per cent of its pharmaceutical needs to producing the same percentage locally, similar to what obtains in industrialised economies such as India and China. He called on Nigerians and stakeholders across the healthcare value chain to attend the forthcoming expo and witness the progress being made by indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Frank Muonemeh, announced that the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo would be held on 28 and 29 September at the Harbour Point Event Centre.
Muonemeh disclosed that more than 200 exhibiting companies and about 10,000 pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals from across Africa were expected to participate in the event.
He noted that the theme of this year’s expo is ‘Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma and Life Science Sovereignty through Localisation’, adding that the event would promote industry-wide discussions on regional manufacturing, competitiveness and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area. According to him, the Ministers of Health, Trade and Industry are expected to formally declare the exhibition open.
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