Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported medicines poses serious economic and healthcare risks, the Managing Director of Plough Events Limited, Joseph Chukwu, has said.
Speaking during the recently concluded Nigeria Pharma Health Expo 2026 held at the Balmoral Hall of Sheraton Lagos Hotel from 12 to 13 May, Chukwu warned that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported pharmaceutical products continues to weaken the naira, expose the country to supply chain disruptions and increase vulnerability during global health emergencies.
According to him, nearly 70 per cent of medicines consumed in the country are imported, a development he described as unsustainable for a nation seeking a resilient healthcare system and stronger economic independence.
Chukwu explained that the Nigeria Pharma Health Expo was conceived as a platform to promote indigenous pharmaceutical and healthcare brands while stimulating practical conversations around the challenges limiting local production. He identified poor infrastructure, high energy costs, limited access to financing, logistics difficulties and regulatory bottlenecks as some of the major obstacles confronting local manufacturers.
According to him, the event was intentionally designed to move discussions beyond complaints towards practical solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s production capacity and competitiveness within the African market, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework. He added that more than 65 per cent of exhibitors at the expo were Nigerian companies, reflecting the organisers’ deliberate effort to spotlight local capacity and innovation.
The Plough Events boss also said the expo distinguishes itself from many healthcare exhibitions in Nigeria because of its strong Nigeria-centric focus. While acknowledging the importance of international partnerships, he stressed that indigenous companies must not be overshadowed within their own market.
He noted that many Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare entrepreneurs and innovators continue to perform impressively despite difficult operating conditions but often lack the visibility and support necessary for growth. Beyond commercial exhibitions, Chukwu said the platform was also designed to encourage policy conversations capable of improving the operating environment for local healthcare businesses and advancing broader national goals around economic self-reliance, healthcare sustainability and industrial development.
Speaking further on Nigeria’s drive for self-sufficiency in local drug manufacturing, Chukwu said government, private investors, regulators, academia and supply chain experts all have critical roles to play in strengthening the sector. He noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of overdependence on imported medicines during global emergencies and reinforced the need for stronger domestic production capacity.
He revealed that the expo partnered with the Africa Centre of Excellence in Supply Chain Management to facilitate discussions around major supply chain challenges, including distribution inefficiencies, storage limitations, transportation problems and raw material sourcing. According to him, improvements in these areas, alongside stronger policy consistency and better infrastructure, would significantly improve the competitiveness of Nigerian pharmaceutical companies.
On participation at the expo, Chukwu described the response from local pharmaceutical companies as highly encouraging, noting that many firms embraced the platform because they recognised the importance of an exhibition dedicated to indigenous brands. He disclosed that several companies unable to participate fully this year had already indicated interest in subsequent editions, which he said reflects growing confidence in the vision behind the event.
He also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, professional associations and policymakers, revealing that the organisers engaged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria during the planning process, although logistical constraints limited fuller participation this year.
Addressing the growing brain drain in the health sector, Chukwu described the migration of highly skilled professionals abroad as a major national challenge with serious long-term implications for healthcare delivery, education and economic growth. He said many doctors, pharmacists, nurses and researchers continue to leave Nigeria in search of better remuneration, stronger institutions and improved working conditions overseas, adding that government must create an environment that encourages professionals to remain in the country.
He advocated improved infrastructure, clearer career growth opportunities and stronger institutional support, while also proposing a form of foreign tax framework through which countries benefiting from Nigerian talent could contribute towards Nigeria’s human capital development. He further urged the Federal Government to expand health insurance coverage nationwide, arguing that Nigeria can no longer sustain a healthcare system heavily dependent on out-of-pocket payments.
According to him, healthcare should be treated not as a privilege for a few citizens but as a strategic national investment essential for productivity, economic stability and national development.
