Dr. Margaret Okonawan Ilomuanya, a distinguished Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, delivered a compelling address on June 25, 2025, during the 28th Annual National Conference of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) that underscored the crucial need for a concerted effort to align pharmaceutical manufacturing with the demands of the Nigerian population.
Renowned for her significant contributions to pharmaceutical sciences, her insights inspired attendees to rethink strategies in the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on the imperative of local production to enhance both accessibility and quality of medications.
The conference, themed "Scale, Innovation and Transformation of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry," provided a relevant backdrop for Dr. Ilomuanya's address. “When we talk about manufacturing, we must do so within the context of serving the needs of our population,” she emphasized. She highlighted a concerning statistic: current manufacturing capacity utilization in Nigeria remains below 18.5%. This figure reflects only those companies actively fulfilling local drug needs and does not account for the medications that still require imports, underscoring the critical gap in local production capabilities.
Dr. Ilomuanya pointed out that while there are numerous pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, many are not proactively setting up infrastructure for local manufacturing. “The rate of public-private partnership (PPP) investment must incorporate production at every level,” she asserted, advocating for a robust collaboration between industry and academic institutions to empower the next generation of pharmacists and innovators.
She urged pharmaceutical companies to actively engage with academic institutions, calling for slots for clinical placements for associate professors and professors in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry. “You will benefit from their knowledge, and they will also gain from real-time production processes,” she stated, emphasizing the mutual benefits of such partnerships.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ilomuanya stressed the importance of political synergy between organizations like the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and NAIP. She called for enhanced funding mechanisms from the federal government to health insurance companies, stating, “When you have directed funding, it will boost production.”
Moreover, she noted that while Nigeria’s pharmaceutical growth rate of about 8% is commendable, it must also reflect improvements in the country's innovation index to compete effectively in the global market. She outlined significant challenges facing the industry, including issues related to infrastructure, transportation, logistics, access to finance, and a shortage of skilled workforce. “If we truly want to scale and innovate, we need strategic alliances; transformation lies in addressing these gaps,” Dr. Ilomuanya asserted.
As she concluded her address, Dr. Ilomuanya expressed optimism, saying, “The future is within reach, but it will require our collective effort, unwavering commitment, and shared belief in the transformative power of research.” She reinforced the vital role the pharmaceutical industry plays in catering to the sustenance of the Nigerian people and urged all stakeholders to act decisively to ensure a robust, self-sufficient pharmaceutical sector.
Her insightful contributions during the conference have left attendees invigorated and motivated to embrace the challenges ahead, fostering a sustainable and innovative pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria. Dr. Ilomuanya’s remarkable credentials and unwavering dedication position her as a leading figure in shaping the future of the industry in Nigeria.
