At the recently concluded Pharma West Africa Conference 2025 in Lagos, Pharm. IG Anukwu, former national chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), delivered a compelling presentation titled “Cross-Sector Collaboration: Linking Academia, Industry, and Government.” The discussion that followed shed light on the significant strides made in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape through collaborative efforts among the academic sector, industry players, and government institutions.
Anukwu highlighted a series of key initiatives and partnerships that have shaped the growth of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. Among the most notable examples of successful collaboration is that of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), established in 1987 under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. NIPRD, which was moved to the Federal Ministry of Health in 2021, is mandated to develop drugs, biological products, and raw pharmaceutical materials. The institute is expected also to conduct crucial quality-assurance tests and contribute to the development of guidelines for the production of locally manufactured medicines.
According to Anukwu, the collaboration between the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in 1989 proved instrumental in getting NIPRD off the ground. He added that the financial support provided by these bodies enabled NIPRD to lay the foundation for its current operations. One of the significant outcomes of NIPRD’s work is Niprisan®, a drug for managing sickle cell disorder, which has since been commercialized by May & Baker Nigeria under the brand name Niclovix®. Today, Niprisan® is sold in over 40 countries, further demonstrating the successful partnership between academia, industry, and government.
Another highlight of the collaboration, he revealed is Ciklavit®, a product of indigenous research developed by a Biochemist, Prof G. I. Ekeke at the University of Port Harcourt between 1983 and 2001, when Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa OFR was the managing director of Niemeth Pharmaceuticals. Marketed by Niemeth Pharmaceuticals, Ciklavit® continues to be an example of how academic and industry collaboration can result in tangible products with wide market potential. The estate of the late professor behind the research continues to benefit from this innovation.
Biovaccine Nigeria Limited, a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Federal Government and May & Baker, was also underscored in Anukwu’s presentation. Launched in 2003, this initiative aims to restart the production of vaccines within Nigeria, reducing the country’s dependence on imported vaccines and bolstering local manufacturing.
In addition to these collaborations, Anukwu pointed to several industry-government partnerships that have had a direct impact on public health, including the supply of anti-malaria during the Roll-Back-Malaria Campaign of the Federal Government and anti-retroviral drugs by the local industry to the Federal Government. Also, the PTF days saw a remarkable collaboration between the Pharma Industry and the Federal Government which was very successful by ensuring access and availability of pharmaceuticals at all levels of healthcare facilities in the country. The Nigerian government’s support for the pharma industry, particularly through initiatives like the Central Bank of Nigeria’s COVID-19 Intervention Grant, has been crucial in sustaining local pharmaceutical manufacturing. Anukwu, however, regretted that most of these initiatives were not enduring. He then pointed out that currently, a very sustainable collaboration is on-going between the pharma industry and about 12 state governments on drug procurement. This is a programme anchored by ARC ESM under the leadership of Pharm. Azuka Okeke.
NAIP’s efforts to promote indigenous pharmaceutical research were also discussed in Anukwu’s presentation, with several projects underlining the association’s commitment to advancing local innovation. One such project is NANIP, a herbal cough tincture developed by Prof. Martins Emeje and his team at NIPRD. Another is PINAN, a topical antibactarial, anti-pruritic cream developed by Dr Magrete Ilomuanya of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos. These formulations have already attracted attention from industry players for commercialisation.
Beyond development of products, NAIP collaborated with the Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP), University of Ibadan established by Prof Peace Babalola, in strengthening capabilities of her members through training to ensure the manufacture of quality assured medicinal products. Amongst many areas of collaboration was the sponsorship of eight (8) NAIP members who went through the Masters in Drug Development and Regulatory Pharmacy programme of the Centre.
Anukwu also pointed to the ongoing collaboration between NAIP and state governments, including the Ebonyi State Government, in establishing comprehensive Pharma Parks aimed at not only fostering local pharmaceutical production but making Nigeria a major player in Africa. The Master Plan of the NAIP Pharmapark in Ebonyi State was shared with the audience. The synergy between the private and public sectors has proven critical in developing a robust pharmaceutical infrastructure in Nigeria. Anukwu’s presentation emphasised that continued collaboration between academia, industry, and government would be key to driving Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector to greater heights, ensuring the country’s self-sufficiency in drug production, and improving public health outcomes across the continent.
