Adeyeye’s reforms lift Nigeria pharma output to 50%, secure global regulatory ranking
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is recording measurable gains under the leadership of Mojisola Adeyeye, as reforms driven by the head of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) push local drug manufacturing and elevate the country’s global regulatory standing.
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is recording measurable gains under the leadership of Mojisola Adeyeye, as reforms driven by the head of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) push local drug manufacturing and elevate the country’s global regulatory standing.
Industry stakeholders at the commissioning of Sam Pharmaceutical Limited, say Adeyeye’s flagship “5+5” policy has begun to shift Nigeria away from heavy reliance on imported medicines, with local production now accounting for about 50 percent of output, up from roughly 30 percent before the reforms.
The policy requires foreign pharmaceutical firms to establish local manufacturing capacity or partner with Nigerian companies within a defined timeframe, linking product registration renewals to clear progress on domestic production plans.
Regulators say the approach is already reshaping investment decisions in the sector, forcing multinational drug makers to localise operations while encouraging domestic firms to scale up production.
“The framework has created a predictable pathway for companies to transition from import dependence to local manufacturing,” a regulatory source familiar with the policy said, noting that compliance is tied to strict timelines and potential de-registration for defaulters.
Adeyeye’s tenure has also strengthened Nigeria’s credibility in global health regulation. Under her leadership, NAFDAC attained Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status in the World Health Organization’s benchmarking system, placing the country among a small group of African regulators признised for stable and well-functioning oversight systems.
The ranking signals that Nigeria’s regulatory processes now meet international standards, a development experts say could unlock vaccine manufacturing opportunities and boost investor confidence in the pharmaceutical value chain.
Only a handful of African countries, including Nigeria, have reached this level, with fewer than 30 percent of regulatory agencies globally considered fully functional, according to WHO benchmarks.
Analysts say the combination of stricter regulation and industrial policy is beginning to reposition Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector as a potential regional manufacturing hub, particularly as global supply chain disruptions expose vulnerabilities in import-dependent markets.
While challenges such as infrastructure gaps and financing constraints persist, industry players credit Adeyeye’s regulatory push with laying the foundation for long-term self-sufficiency and improved access to essential medicines.
Adeyeye’s reforms are expected to remain central to the country’s healthcare strategy, as policymakers look to balance affordability, quality, and supply security in one of Africa’s largest drug markets.
