At the Pharma West Africa Conference 2025 in Lagos, leaders from the Federal Government, pharmaceutical organisations, and healthcare institutions have expressed their unwavering commitment to improving Nigeria’s health sector through strategic investments, collaborations, and innovations aimed at ensuring better health outcomes for all Nigerians. The event, a pivotal platform for discussing the prospects, challenges, and opportunities within Nigeria’s health sector, brought together key stakeholders to chart a path toward the realisation of universal health coverage for the Nigerian populace.
Dr Salma Anas, the special adviser to the President on Health, conveyed the Federal Government’s firm dedication to transforming the country’s healthcare system. In her address, she emphasised the government’s multifaceted approach to revitalising the sector, with particular focus on substantial investments in health infrastructure, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and fostering collaborations that would benefit Nigerians from all social classes.
“The Federal Government is laying the groundwork for the local development and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs),” Dr Anas revealed. “We are determined to end Nigeria’s overreliance on imported medicines. Furthermore, we are committed to creating an enabling environment for local manufacturers and attracting investors to bolster this initiative.”
This commitment is aligned with the administration’s broader goal of achieving universal health coverage, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to quality healthcare services. Anas expressed confidence that under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, the Ministry of Health is poised to make significant strides toward the improvement of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Under the leadership of Professor Pate, the Ministry of Health is making considerable investments in the sector,” Dr Anas said. “With the full implementation of the Executive Order, the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry is on a growth trajectory, and Nigeria is well-positioned to meet its pharmaceutical needs.”
Dr Abdu Mukhtar, national coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, delivered the keynote address, focusing on the theme of the conference: “Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain: The Journey So Far.” Mukhtar discussed the four pillars of unlocking the healthcare value chain, which are integral to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). These pillars include Effective Governance, Finance, Human Capital Development, and Innovation.
“Effective governance, robust financing, and the continuous development of human capital are key to fostering an efficient, innovation-driven healthcare ecosystem,” Dr Mukhtar noted. “We have seen significant progress from both the public and private sectors in unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. However, more private-sector collaborations, increased locally manufactured medicines, and stronger healthcare infrastructure are necessary for sustainable growth and self-sufficiency in healthcare delivery.”
Mukhtar further emphasised that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial for the development of Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He argued that such collaborations have been key drivers of healthcare success in many other countries, and that Nigeria is on the right path toward becoming a global leader in healthcare delivery. However, he called for more active engagement from the private sector to maximize the potential of these partnerships and make a tangible impact on the healthcare system.
In their goodwill messages at the conference’s opening, several stakeholders underscored the need for innovative partnerships and strategic investments to boost local manufacturing and enhance healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria. Mrs Njide Ndili, president of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), emphasised the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to create sustainable healthcare solutions.
“Healthcare in Nigeria is a movement,” said Mrs Ndili. “We are committed to making it better for Nigerians by forging the right investments and partnerships.”
Similarly, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), described the conference as an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in the pharmaceutical industry despite ongoing challenges. He stressed the need for scaling up local production, particularly through public-private partnerships, and investing in local API manufacturing.
“Although the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) have made strides in ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, more needs to be done to curb the issue of counterfeit medicines,” Pharm. Ayuba said. “We must also enhance pharmacovigilance and research, provide tax incentives, and continue to focus on the growth of the pharmaceutical sector, which is the backbone of a thriving economy.”
Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, also echoed the call for increased collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. He affirmed that the PCN is dedicated to ensuring that universal best practices in the pharmaceutical sector are implemented and maintained.
The conference’s chairman, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, who is also a former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, encouraged attendees to leverage the opportunities for networking and collaboration that the event provides. He noted that such engagements are crucial for fostering innovation and advancing the Nigerian healthcare sector.
In her address, Dr Anas concluded by reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving better health outcomes for Nigerians. She emphasised the government’s role in providing a conducive environment for the private sector to flourish and contribute to the growth of the country’s healthcare system.
As the Pharma West Africa Conference 2025 draws to a close, it is evident that both the public and private sectors are united in their efforts to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. Through strategic investments, innovative partnerships, and a concerted focus on local production and self-sustainability, Nigeria’s health sector is on the path to achieving a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable healthcare system for all its citizens.
