Until petroleum refineries in Nigeria, including the Dangote Refinery, begin producing petrochemicals for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other excipients, the vision of medicine security in the country will remain unfulfilled.
This was the submission of industry leaders, including former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; and Managing Director of Merit Healthcare, Dr Lolu Ojo, in separate interviews with Pharmanews. They emphasised that the much-anticipated self-sufficiency in drug manufacturing would remain elusive unless Alhaji Aliko Dangote, CEO of the Dangote Group, incorporates petrochemical production into the refinery to support the local supply of pharmaceutical raw materials.
Yakasai questioned the relevance of Nigeria’s crude oil reserves if they cannot be used to produce APIs locally. “There is no point in Nigeria having crude oil if we cannot process our own APIs here. If Dangote establishes the petrochemical component, we can definitely achieve self-sufficiency. But without APIs and excipients, if we continue relying on imports, the goal of local drug production will remain a mirage,” he said.
Petrochemicals are critical building blocks in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and protective equipment. Data shows that they account for over 99 per cent of pharmaceutical feedstock and are integral to producing medical-grade polymers known for their durability and biocompatibility. Although environmental concerns are pushing developed countries toward sustainable alternatives, disruptions in petrochemical supply can bring pharmaceutical production to a halt.
Currently, leading global suppliers of petrochemicals include China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Germany, and India, alongside industrialised nations such as Japan and the United Kingdom. In Africa, Nigeria is listed among major producers alongside Algeria and Egypt. However, the Dangote Refinery is yet to commence petrochemical production.
Echoing Yakasai’s position, Dr Lolu Ojo pointed to the transformative effect of technology on industries such as media and banking. He argued that the Federal Government has failed to give the pharmaceutical sector the attention it deserves – an industry he believes could drive Nigeria’s economic recovery, especially if API production is made possible through petrochemicals.
He cited Hoffmann-La Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company, as an example: “That single company recorded a turnover of about $59 billion in 2024. Converted to naira, that’s approximately ₦20 trillion. Imagine the impact if Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector reached even a fraction of that level.”
“Government is doing something, and we appreciate that,” he said, “but more needs to be done. The pharmaceutical sector requires deep, deliberate focus. In fact, it could be the source of the economic revival we are looking for. Let’s start with petrochemicals so we can produce APIs here in Nigeria. If the government directs meaningful attention to this sector, the whole nation will benefit.”
Yakasai, who also serves as vice-president 2 of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), stressed the urgency for Dangote to leverage technological innovation and expand the refinery’s scope to include petrochemical production. He argued that doing so would significantly boost local drug production and reduce the rising cost of pharmaceuticals.
“Yes, we cannot do without medicines, and healthcare without medicine is nothing. We must be innovative and align with global trends in technology,” he stated.
The former PSN president also lamented the pharmaceutical industry’s reluctance to invest in the outcomes of research and development (R&D). He said this attitude not only stifles innovation but also hampers economic growth. He recalled efforts made during his tenure to connect academic research with industry, noting that many of these initiatives failed due to manufacturers’ indifference.
“Honestly, we are far behind when it comes to investment in R&D,” Yakasai noted. “I know so many lecturers who have developed numerous treatments for antimicrobials, sickle cell disease, and more, but no one is supporting them to produce on a commercial scale. That’s a serious problem.”
He pointed to South Africa, Egypt, and even Ghana as African countries outperforming Nigeria in R&D, and called on both the Federal Government and private sector to invest in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical development through research.
Yakasai questioned the rationale behind Nigeria’s continued reliance on pharmaceutical imports from India, China, Malaysia, and other countries, when local production is possible. “Is it because we are poor? Or is it because financial institutions lack confidence in local products? Or perhaps because we are not investing enough in R&D?”
“This is one area where we must keep pushing to raise awareness of its importance. Egypt is far ahead. Even Ghana, just one state compared to Nigeria, is making significant investments in R&D. Yet both the government and the private sector here are not doing enough,” he said.
To address this, he urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for local drug manufacturing, provide low-interest loans, and encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in research outcomes for mass production.
