In a move seen as reaffirming commitment to strengthening local drug manufacturing, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, recently led a Federal Government delegation to commission a state-of-the-art Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) pharmaceutical factory built by Sam Pharmaceutical Limited in Ota.
Salako-Oyedele, who performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, described the project as a major milestone for industrial development, healthcare delivery and job creation in the state, as well as a boost to the Nigerian economy.
“This event is not just the commissioning of a pharmaceutical factory, but a celebration of innovation, industrial growth, job creation and healthcare advancement,” the deputy governor said.
She noted that the investment underscores Ogun State’s position as Nigeria’s industrial hub and a preferred destination for pharmaceutical and healthcare investments, adding that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment through improved infrastructure, favourable policies and strategic partnerships.
Salako-Oyedele added that the facility would boost access to quality medicines, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities within the Ota axis and beyond.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziak Adekunle Salako, said the project aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to expand domestic pharmaceutical production under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He described the factory as a critical step towards achieving medicine security, noting that global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, had exposed the risks of over-reliance on imported drugs.
“The importance of today’s event cannot be overemphasised, especially at this time of our renewed commitment to unlock the healthcare value chain and ensure medicine sovereignty,” he said.
According to him, government initiatives such as the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and executive orders on the pharmaceutical sector are already incentivising local manufacturing, with dozens of companies benefiting from the policy support.
“Let me once again appreciate Sam Pharmaceutical and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) for the collaboration and for rising to the challenge of Mr President to increase our local pharmaceutical production. Let us remember that the average Nigerian patient must be at the centre of all the progress we make. We must therefore ensure that government waivers and exemptions translate into pricing relief for the people,” Salako said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of Sam Pharmaceutical, Mr Amit Bhojwani, said the new facility reflects the company’s commitment to quality, innovation and global standards. He noted that the CGMP plant has been built to the most rigorous international specifications, stressing that the company spared no expense because Nigerians deserve nothing but the best.
He disclosed that the plant has an installed capacity of over 400 million tablets, 50 million capsules, two million bottles and one million pouches monthly, describing it as the first phase of a broader expansion drive.
“Our new facility places us among the top tier of the pharmaceutical sector and positions us as a major manufacturer in the branded generic space. With an installed capacity of over 400 million tablets, 50 million capsules, two million bottles and one million pouches per month, this is only Phase 1 of our Ota project. Expansion lines are already well underway. We are not just growing; we are scaling at pace. Sam Pharmaceutical is not just a corporate body; it is truly a family,” Bhojwani said.
He added that the company, which is celebrating 55 years of operations, is poised to scale up production and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. He also commended the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for supporting the healthcare sector through programmes such as the Presidential Executive Order and the PVAC initiative.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said ongoing reforms have improved standards and boosted confidence in locally manufactured medicines.
She noted that policies such as the “5+5” directive have encouraged a shift from importation to local production, leading to increased capacity utilisation and reduced dependence on foreign drugs.
“Without medicine security, you cannot have health security,” she said, adding that Nigeria is advancing towards higher global regulatory ratings that would enable locally produced medicines to compete internationally.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Abdu Mukhtar, said the commissioning reflects growing momentum in the sector, driven by deliberate policies and private-sector investment.
He disclosed that several pharmaceutical manufacturing projects are underway nationwide, supported by funding initiatives, procurement reforms and incentives aimed at lowering costs and improving access.
Industry stakeholders who attended the event also commended Sam Pharmaceutical for the achievement. The Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, said recent policy reforms have significantly expanded the pharmaceutical sector, with local production accounting for an increasing share of national demand.
Similarly, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko, praised the company’s consistency and contributions to the industry, describing its 55-year journey as a testament to resilience and quality.
The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, confirmed that the Sam Pharmaceutical factory had been duly inspected, certified and licensed, noting that the company has maintained regulatory compliance over the years.
In his remarks, the Consul General of India in Lagos, Kannan Chokalingam, described the project as a symbol of deepening collaboration between India and Nigeria in pharmaceutical manufacturing, stating that India will continue to work with Nigeria to achieve a robust pharmaceutical industry.
Other notable personalities at the event included the Olota of Ota, His Majesty Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdukabir Obalanlege; former Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; Commissioners for Health from Ogun and Oyo States; a member of the House of Representatives representing Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Hon. Akinosi Olatunji Akanni; Chief Medical Directors of several hospitals; and other dignitaries.
