The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for a deeper partnership between Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and academic institutions to boost local production of medicines and vaccines.
This move aims to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported medical products.
Adeyeye commended President Bola Tinubu’s recent policy banning the importation of readily available products, which she believes will help drive growth in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
She urged universities and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate on research and development (R&D) to create new products tailored to Nigeria’s healthcare needs.
At the 38th edition of the Prof. Victor Olufemi Marquis Memorial Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adeyeye proposed that academic institutions launch a Collaborative R&D Pilot Programme.
This initiative would foster stronger ties between academia and industry, ensuring that universities contribute significantly to developing skills, transferring knowledge, and fostering innovation in pharmaceutical research.
According to Adeyeye, such collaborations could focus on areas like clinical trials, bioequivalence studies, and vaccine development, particularly in combating endemic diseases like Lassa fever. She stated that universities are crucial in creating new enterprises and fostering knowledge-driven growth, ultimately benefiting Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
She further mentioned that NAFDAC already maintains relationships with several Nigerian universities and emphasised the potential benefits of these partnerships, including providing students with practical learning experiences in the pharmaceutical sector.
In addition, Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC is planning a pilot R&D collaboration programme, where universities will work directly with Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers on specific projects.
Manufacturers will be free to select university partners based on their needs, ensuring that the partnership addresses fundamental gaps in the industry.
This initiative is a key step towards strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, reducing import dependence, and improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.
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