Nigeria Targets 70% Local Drug Production at Expo 2026

The 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo (NPME 2026) is set for September 28-29, 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, with Nigeria's Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, leading the event. The expo aims to strategize on reducing Nigeria's dependence on imported medicines and enhancing domestic manufacturing, targeting a 70% local production of medicines.

Pharm. Patrick Ajah, Chairman of the NPME Committee, emphasized the expo's role in attracting foreign direct investment and promoting local sourcing of raw materials.

The initiative aligns with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), which focuses on local manufacturing and technology transfer. Ajah also noted the importance of indigenous pharmaceutical production, citing recent global health emergencies as a risk for countries reliant on foreign suppliers.

The sector's growth has contributed to employment and tax revenue, with PMG-MAN advocating for pharmaceutical manufacturing since 1983.