By Esther Onyegbula

Three of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers, the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, are set to play leading roles at the 2026 Economic Outlook and Chief Executive Officers’ Forum of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, NAIP, as the country’s pharmaceutical industry intensifies efforts to achieve health security and economic self-reliance.

The National Chairman of NAIP, Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo, disclosed this while announcing preparations for the high-level policy and industry gathering, which he described as a defining moment for the pharmaceutical sector and Nigeria’s broader economic future.

According to him, the participation of the three traditional rulers underscores the growing recognition that sustainable health security and economic sovereignty require leadership that cuts across policy, industry, culture and governance.

“All is set for a historic convergence of royal authority, intellectual depth and strategic leadership at the NAIP 2026 Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum. The presence of these highly respected traditional rulers underscores the national importance of the conversations we are convening around Nigeria’s health security and economic future,” Ezebuilo said.

The forum, themed “Reimagining Nigeria’s Health Security: Local Production, Economic Sovereignty & Strategic Partnership,” is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Proceedings are expected to commence at 9 a.m., with a closing dinner slated for 6 p.m.

Speaking on the objectives of the forum, Ezebuilo explained that the Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum is a deliberately structured platform designed exclusively for chief executives and top decision-makers in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industrial sector to engage in strategic reflection and policy-focused dialogue.

“The Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum is primarily for CEOs in the pharmaceutical industry. It is a deliberate platform where we review Nigeria’s past economic performance, examine current realities, provide informed forecasts, and collectively discuss strategies for growth, resilience and self-reliance of the pharmaceutical sector,” he said.

He noted that the inclusion of the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, brings global economic insight and reform-oriented leadership to discussions on local production and economic sovereignty, while the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, contributes decades of corporate and institutional leadership experience rooted in ethical governance and national development.

Ezebuilo added that the participation of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, reinforces the forum’s emphasis on innovation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth.

Beyond high-level discussions, the NAIP chairman stressed that the forum is structured to generate actionable outcomes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain and reducing the country’s dependence on imported medicines.

“Our objective is to foster meaningful conversations that will translate into practical policies and partnerships. A self-reliant health value chain begins with a strong local pharmaceutical industry that is central to Nigeria’s health security,” he said.

Ezebuilo further emphasized that a quality-driven pharmaceutical industry remains fundamental to effective healthcare delivery and public confidence in the health system.

“When we get the pharmaceutical industry right, we automatically assure Nigerians of quality medicines and, by extension, quality healthcare. This forum is about creating the right economic, policy and strategic environment for that to happen,” he added.

He described the Economic Outlook segment of the forum as a cornerstone of NAIP’s commitment to equipping industry leaders with a deeper understanding of economic trends, risks and emerging opportunities.

“The economic outlook helps CEOs anticipate changes, make informed decisions and position their businesses for sustainability while contributing meaningfully to national development,” Ezebuilo said.
The 2026 forum is expected to attract top pharmaceutical chief executives, senior government officials, regulators, policymakers, academics, investors and development partners, united by a shared goal of building a resilient, self-reliant and globally competitive pharmaceutical industry capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s health security.

As preparations intensify ahead of the February 4 event, NAIP leadership said the gathering signals a clear shift from import dependence towards a new vision anchored on local production, strategic partnerships and economic sovereignty in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.