By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has issued a vital call to action for the Federal Government. Industry leaders stress that unlocking Nigeria's full medicine security and achieving a 70% local production target hinges heavily on lowering soaring energy costs, streamlining port clearance, and strengthening active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) policies.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos ahead of the upcoming 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo (NPME 2026), representatives underscored the urgent need for a competitive, investment-friendly ecosystem to drive sustainable growth across the nation's healthcare sector.
While celebrating monumental strides in domestic manufacturing highlighted by a sharp drop in imported finished pharmaceuticals from 4.03 billion units down to 1.13 billion units by 2025, according to NAFDAC data industry heads cautioned that operational bottlenecks continue to stifle potential.
"High energy costs and delayed clearance of pharma inputs remain a major threat to the competitiveness of local manufacturers," stated Pharm. Frank Muonemeh, Executive Secretary and CEO of PMG-MAN.
Muonemeh pointed out that local companies currently hemorrhage over 40% of their revenue on electricity and alternative power generation. In stark contrast, global competitors in manufacturing hubs like China and India spend less than 10% on energy, heavily disadvantaging Nigerian producers in regional and international markets.
To level the playing field, the group is urging the government to introduce targeted interventions, such as dedicated industrial energy tariffs, alongside robust policies backing the localized production of APIs and essential raw materials.
To cement recent gains and draw long-term foreign and domestic investments, PMG-MAN made a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. The association is pressing for the current two-year Presidential Executive Order supporting the pharmaceutical sector to be extended into a five-year framework.
According to leadership, predictable, long-term policy stability is non-negotiable for capital-intensive life science investments and advanced technology acquisition.
Representing the PMG-MAN Chairman and CEO of Daily-Need Industries Limited, Mr. Oluwatosin Jolayemi, the Chairman of the Exhibition Planning Committee and MD/CEO of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Dr. Patrick Ajah, emphasized the sector's remarkable evolution.
"The sector has grown from 20 pioneer members in 1983 to more than 200 manufacturing companies, and remains firmly committed to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines," Ajah affirmed.
The momentum for domestic self-sufficiency will take center stage at the 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo (NPME 2026), slated for September 28 and 29 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos
Carrying the theme, “Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma and Life Science Sovereignty through Localisation,” the flagship event will convene over 200 exhibitors and nearly 10,000 industry professionals.