The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for stronger NAFDAC pharmaceutical R&D collaboration between Nigerian universities and local pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce overdependence on imported medical products.
Prof Adeyeye made the call at the 38th edition of the Prof Victor Olufemi Marquis Memorial Lecture, organised by the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Describing President Bola Tinubu’s recent ban on the importation of readily available products in Nigeria as a crucial catalyst for the growth of the local industry, Prof Adeyeye urged the nation’s academia and pharmaceutical sector to establish a partnership in research and development. This, she said, would enable the development of new products, including medicines and vaccines, tailored to address Nigeria’s specific healthcare needs.
According to the guest lecturer, universities are well-positioned to develop skills, transfer knowledge, and introduce technology to the industry, adding that universities serve as hubs for creating new enterprises, and their roles in knowledge and technology innovation continue to evolve.
She asserted that academia–industry linkage is vital for any nation’s survival, as it fosters formal platforms for joint planning and the implementation of mutually beneficial collaborations.
Prof Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC already collaborates with several universities in Nigeria, noting that such partnerships also provide students with experiential learning opportunities in manufacturing and service industries.
She described the academia–industry relationship as the backbone of the nation’s economic growth, highlighting its role in boosting competitiveness and driving the development of new products.
She further remarked that as economic growth and industrial expansion progress, societal challenges, particularly unemployment, would be alleviated, GDP would rise, and the quality of life would improve.
Prof Adeyeye disclosed that over the past seven years, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry has witnessed significant growth, driven by increasing demand for healthcare solutions, the strengthening of regulatory systems, and various government initiatives, including the Executive Order announced by President Bola Tinubu in 2024.
NAFDAC conducted a study on the top five imported pharmaceutical products and the top five locally manufactured ones. The results showed that the top five imported products were identical to those produced locally. It was illogical to continue importing these items, so the Agency introduced the ‘Five Plus Five’ Regulatory Directive.
NAFDAC conducted a study on the top five imported pharmaceutical products and the top five locally manufactured ones. The results showed that the top five imported products were identical to those produced locally. It was illogical to continue importing these items, so the Agency introduced the ‘Five Plus Five’ Regulatory Directive.
The NAFDAC boss maintained that the Agency is laying the groundwork for pharmaceutical research and development, leveraging Nigeria’s vast and untapped potential. She emphasised that global trends underscore the importance of local innovations that drive self-sufficiency in healthcare.
She insisted that Nigerians must take pride in locally produced goods, asserting, “Our products are now of better quality than they used to be, thanks to the strengthening of the regulatory system.”
NAFDAC’s role is pivotal in enabling this transformation, and the time to build a robust R&D system for a healthier Nigeria is now,” she added.
She also stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing global business realignment should serve as lessons, reinforcing the need to reduce excessive reliance on other countries for commodities that can be manufactured domestically while maintaining essential global trade collaborations.
