- Seeks drastic cut down on imports
As the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) stepped into its 28th Annual National Conference from June 23 to 27, 2025 in Lagos, it looked forward to engaging critical stakeholders across the pharmaceutical sector on strategies to scale up, innovate, and transform their operations. This, it hopes will lead towards ultimately driving growth and development within the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry. In this Cover Story, PharmaTimes Editor, MORGAN NWANGUMA writes that the just concluded conference which was themed ‘Scale, Innovation and Transformation of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry (SIT 2025)’, was indeed impactful. The event held at The Citadel, Ikeja, Lagos, and witnessed the convergence of eminent industry stakeholders, policymakers, as well as leaders of thought.
Obviously the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has a dream of arriving at a time soon when drug importation to the country will be drastically cut down to as low as 30 per cent – with increased local drug production even as it looks forward to a regime of widening digital transformation across the pharmaceutical sector. This was a major focus of the just concluded 28th Annual National Conference held in Lagos. At events leading up to the conference, Kenneth Onuegbu, NAIP’s National Chairman before the just ended confab, had drawn out the industry’s scale-up approach by stressing that effective growth necessitates more than mere increase in production.
Earlier, Onuegbu had mapped out strategic reforms targeted at transforming the sector; he stressed the urgent need to boost already acquired skills, grow knowledge, and take on innovative practices to turn around the sector without doubt. He pushed for the embrace of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, in addition to drone logistics.
The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) recognises the crucial role of digital technology in advancing the pharmaceutical industry and achieving national medicine security in Nigeria. NAIP emphasises the need for the industry to embrace digital transformation to enhance local drug production, improve efficiency, and ultimately drive the future of pharmacy in Nigeria.
In its quest to fully tap into the Technological Revolution, NAIP has been consistent in advocating for the pharmaceutical industry to embrace technological advancements, particularly digital technologies, to revolutionise drug manufacturing and overall practice.
The association also believes that it is only through technological innovation that it can reach its full potential and compete effectively on a global scale. This includes adopting technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Internet of Things to improve various aspects of the pharmaceutical value chain – from research and development to production and distribution.
It is a widely held opinion also that the country’s dependence on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) compromises national drug security, and for this strong reason critical stakeholders in the industry caution that there is an urgent need to considerably trim down her dependence on imported drugs to 30 percent.
At the moment, the country’s dependence on imported medicines is placed at 70 percent. On their side, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) would however, like to see, ‘Scaling’ as not merely referring to output but also having to do with upgrading skills, knowledge, as well as acceptance of innovation. As it were, NAIP has always canvassed for and encouraged the adoption of tools such as AI, blockchain, and drone delivery systems. It is therefore a no brainer that for as long as Nigeria continues on the culture of API importation, experts say and warn that the country is merely practising ‘contract manufacturing’.
It is therefore in this light that the Federal Government’s new zero duty initiative on imported pharmaceutical inputs has been highly commended and received with great optimism by watchers, and players in the healthcare subsector. This has been acclaimed and lauded as a very important move in the direction of supporting local manufacturers, and for the most part those focused on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
The 28th Annual Conference was indeed a beehive of interactive sessions that saw the convergence of key stakeholders to rub minds on strategies for scaling operations, fostering innovation, and transforming the pharmaceutical sector. Also, the event included a Pharma Expo, which gave participants opportunity to exhibit innovations and services from a number of industries which go to strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain. The Expo, being a new addition to the annual event was lifted to a complete package pharma exhibition – showcasing innovations, products and services from the various sectors that make up the industry.
True to its billing, the conference hosted participants made up of captains of industry, policy makers, eggheads from higher institutions of learning across the land, as well as experts from the pharmaceutical and related industries.
At the end of the day the highpoint of the Lagos confab came as they rounded off with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – which was the inauguration of a newly elected Chairman of the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists, in the person of Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo, and his team. He will be leading the new executive council members for the next two years. The association’s AGM took place on Thursday, 26 June, 2025 as part of the activities that marked the association’s 2025 annual national conference.
Prior to his emergence as the national chairman elect, Pharm. Ezebuilo held the position of vice chairman of the association. He succeeds Pharm. Ken Onuebgu who many have described as a go-getter, having completed four years of two terms in office.
Other members of the newly elected Exco include, Pharm. Abu-Saeed Kamaldeen who emerged as the 1st vice national chairman of the association, while Pharm. Valentine Okelu becomes the 2nd vice national chairman. In the same vein, Rosemary Lawson was elected general secretary of the association – as a successor to Pharm. Joy Adeshina.
Other exco members who were elected on the day include the welfare officer – in the person of Ajibo Charles Obinna; Emeka Ndnechi – publicity secretary; Layi Abidoye – internal auditor; Siyaka Ominisi – financial Secretary; Gloria Chiniwuko – assistant general secretary; Obiwulu Chimezie Emmanuel – national treasurer; Rustum Ajiboye – ex-officio member; and Emeka Opanah – ex-Officio member.
While delivering his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Pharm. Ezebuilo promised to live up to expectation and expressed immense gratitude to every member of the association for the confidence they have placed on him to lead them.
Quote for Cover Story
“The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) recognises the crucial role of digital technology in advancing the pharmaceutical industry and achieving national medicine security in Nigeria”
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