… Stakeholders hail Adeyeye’s leadership driving local drug production… NAFDAC’s 5+5 policy spur investment as new Lagos pharma plant opensBy Chioma Obinna
Nigeria’s push to cut reliance on imported medicines gained fresh momentum on Thursday as stakeholders credited sweeping regulatory reforms for a surge in local pharmaceutical production, now estimated at 50 per cent.The commendation came at the commissioning of a new manufacturing facility by Sam Pharmaceutical Ltd in Lagos, where industry leaders and regulators praised the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, for driving policies that are reshaping the sector.Speakers at the event described the new plant as more than just an addition to Nigeria’s industrial base, saying it symbolises a growing shift toward self-sufficiency in drug production.“What we are seeing today is the direct result of deliberate and strategic reforms. Nigeria is gradually moving away from heavy dependence on imported medicines.”Central to the transformation, according to industry players, is NAFDAC’s Five Plus Five-Year Validity policy, introduced under Adeyeye’s leadership to compel foreign pharmaceutical firms to establish local manufacturing capacity or partner with Nigerian companies.Under the policy, companies are granted an initial five-year product registration licence but must, by the fourth year, submit verifiable blueprints for local production. Renewal for another five years is contingent on progress, while failure to comply within stipulated timelines could lead to de-registration.Stakeholders said the policy has triggered a wave of investments and partnerships, accelerating technology transfer and boosting domestic capacity.“The 5+5 policy is a turning point. It is not just regulatory, it is developmental. It is forcing a transition from importation to production,” another industry player noted.They added that the policy has helped increase local manufacturing output from about 30 per cent to 50 per cent in recent years, improving access to essential medicines and strengthening supply chain resilience.The speakers also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s regulatory system, noting that NAFDAC recently attained Maturity Level 3 (ML3) under the World Health Organisation’s Global Benchmarking Programme.The ML3 status signifies a stable and well-functioning regulatory system aligned with international standards and places Nigeria among a select group of African countries with effective medicines regulation.The stakeholders stated that the milestone enhances Nigeria’s credibility, boosts investor confidence and opens opportunities for vaccine manufacturing and global market participation.“The ML3 rating sends a strong signal that Nigeria is ready to play at the global level. It shows that our regulatory processes are robust and internationally recognised.”They further commended Adeyeye for institutionalising a culture of self-audit and continuous improvement within NAFDAC, which they said was critical to achieving the global benchmark.At the event, Adeyeye was widely celebrated as the “woman of the day,” with speakers applauding her leadership and commitment to ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Nigeria.“Her leadership has changed the narrative. Today, investors have more confidence, and local manufacturers are scaling up operations,” the stakeholders stated.The commissioning of the Sam Pharmaceutical facility, they noted, is part of a broader trend of emerging local manufacturing outfits, driven by policy clarity and regulatory support.“With more companies investing in local production, Nigeria is on the path to making essential medicines more affordable and accessible to its population,” another speaker added.The noted that the combined impact of policy reforms, regulatory strengthening and private sector participation is steadily repositioning Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, reducing import dependence and laying the groundwork for long-term health security.