By Moses Nosike

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has said that the easiest way to tackle unemployment, create jobs especially for our teaming young people, and pursue economic growth and national development is to promote local manufacturing.

The group also calls for harmony among the government regulatory agencies, and appeals to the government on favourable policy, forex stability to strengthen the increasing campaign for local manufacturing.

This they said during a press conference at the PMG-MAN head office in Lagos to announce its 8th edition Expo 2026 billed for September.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s Expo, “Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma & Life Sciences Sovereignty through Localisation”, the Chairman, PMG-MAN and CEO, May & Baker Nigeria Plc. Mr Patrick Ajah said, “I’d like to say that our expo is different, in a way, because we do not just invite everybody, we are focused on local manufacturers. And that is why all the people, and the companies that we allow from outside are people who have to drive the zeal of the government to grow local content. So, usually, you’re not going to see pharmaceutical companies from outside of your country coming to exhibit. You only see instrument manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, those that facilitate local manufacturing”.

According to Ajah, that is what makes us different from other expos. “Of course, we welcome all the other Expos. They also help to create the awareness for the needs for pharmaceutical business growth in Nigeria”.

Continuing, Ajah said, “Some of you probably were listening to the speeches that were made in the last expo that we had, where the DG NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye was mentioning the fact that the split of pharmaceutical consumption is changing. Before now, it used to be 70% imported, 30% local content. But the DG said from information available to her that that is changing, which means there is a growth of local manufacturing companies. 

And we can say, as members of PMG-MAN, we have also seen that. We’ve seen many new factories coming up in Nigeria. We’ve seen many people wanting to be members of PMG-MAN”.

Again he said, “Quite a number of them call me to help facilitate their membership. And that obviously means that the effort of the government, our advocacy, is walking in the right direction. And I’m saying that this particular expo couldn’t have come at a better time, because we know the situation we are in now”.

Ajah further said that “I know there have been other occasions, like the COVID, which obviously left us with the fact that if we neglect local manufacturing, we suffer as a country. “Because when there is a critical situation, other countries are going to take care of themselves first, before they think about you. We saw it during COVID. And right now, with the war that is going on in Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz being closed, all imported pharmaceuticals are hanging out there on the Strait of Hormuz”.

He said, “It further authenticates the need for local manufacturing to be encouraged to grow. We are growing, but we can grow faster. Actually, the government has stated there is a need to turn the tide, so that instead of 70% being imported, it should be 70% produced and 30% imported”.

“However, I want to say that this year’s Expo is going to be the best so far. It’s going to be the kind of interest that we are seeing from across the world. In fact, the challenge we are having now is that the spaces that we have mapped out are not enough. Foreign companies, machine manufacturers are interested from China, from India, from all over the place. Somebody called me the other time. From Switzerland, they want to come and exhibit”.

In addition, the Executive Secretary, PMG-MAN, Frank Muonemeh said, “This year’s theme has been conceptualised to enable robust and comprehensive stakeholder engagement in the industry, particularly as it concerns the regional trade, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and the positioning of the industry for global competitiveness”.

According to Muonemeh, the theme is both topical and forward-thinking. Africa as a continent is strong on the policy thrust or pharmaceutical and life sciences sovereignty. “The lessons of COVID-19 on the economy and the health sector remain fresh in our minds. Today, we hear of Ebola, and the next pandemic may be around the corner. The question is, when it happens, how resilient and agile will your supply chain be? How self-sufficient and self-reliant can your country be?”

Muonemeh said, “8th NPME is the definitive pharma industry event, known to attract over 200 exhibiting companies, with nearly 10,000 pharmaceutical and related sector trade professionals from across the region. This year, exhibitors from 5 continents and delegates from across the African continent are expected to grace the event.