Nigeria’s Heavy Dependence on Imported Medicines Sparks Renewed Calls for Pharmaceutical Self-Sufficiency

Nigeria is at risk of losing grounds on its public health security, economic stability and industrial development if it continues to depend heavily on imported medical supplies.

Industry estimates suggest that Nigeria imports between 60 and 70 per cent of its pharmaceutical products, leaving the country vulnerable to global supply disruptions, currency volatility and external pricing pressures.

Despite having more than 120 local pharmaceutical manufacturers, domestic production remains largely limited to basic over-the-counter medicines, while complex drugs, vaccines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are still predominantly sourced from abroad.

However, experts say this structural imbalance has weakened the country’s capacity to achieve pharmaceutical independence, even as calls for reform grow louder.

Speaking at the 29th Annual National Conference of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria in Ilorin, global biopharmaceutical executive Henrietta Ukwu described Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines as “worrisome and unfortunate.”

Delivering a keynote address titled “Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry as a Pillar of National Health, Wealth, and Security,” Ukwu urged the government to intensify support for local manufacturing as a pathway to health security and economic resilience.

She argued that no country seeking sustainable development can afford to depend excessively on foreign sources for essential medicines, vaccines and medical supplies.

Her remarks aligned with the conference theme, “Collaboration and Innovation to Build Local Solutions for the Future of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry,” which brought together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders.

Ukwu stressed that strengthening local production capacity would not only improve healthcare outcomes but also enhance national economic competitiveness and reduce exposure to global supply shocks.

The concerns come amid broader debates within Nigeria’s health sector over policy inconsistency and weak industrial incentives that have slowed the growth of domestic pharmaceutical production.

Analysts argue that the dominance of imports is not solely due to technological or capacity limitations, but also reflects a policy environment that often makes imported products more commercially attractive than locally manufactured alternatives.

Industry stakeholders also point to coordination challenges within the sector.

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has repeatedly advocated for stronger protection and support for local producers. However, internal divisions among member companies, some of which also engage in importation have complicated unified lobbying efforts for stronger local content policies.

Experts say these conflicting interests have weakened collective advocacy for reforms that could shift the balance towards domestic production.

For instance, Bankole Ezebuilo, National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, warned that the country is at a “critical crossroads” in determining its pharmaceutical future.

“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 said.

He urged urgent policy interventions to deepen investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, warning that continued dependence on imports could undermine both health outcomes and national security.

To this end, Nigeria’s challenge is no longer about identifying the problem, but implementing consistent policies capable of transforming local pharmaceutical capacity into a sustainable pillar of national development.