The National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo, has achieved a land mark history by uniting the nation’s eminent traditional authorities to back the country’s quest for pharmaceutical independence. Traditional rulers, former top government officials, regulators, and industry leaders jointly called on the Federal Government to fast-track policies that will drive large-scale local pharmaceutical manufacturing in the country. The forum, themed “Reimagining Nigeria’s Health Security:
Local Production, Economic Sovereignty & Strategic Partnership,” was convened to reset the pharmaceutical landscape around ethical leadership, strategic partnerships, and large-scale investment. Addressing a capacity audience at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, the Chairman presided over an unprecedented assembly of first-class Royal Fathers representing the nation’s major regions for the 2026 NAIP Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum. This gathering signals his resolve to use every available resource, including the "weight of wisdom and tradition," to ensure the pharmaceutical industry achieves total local production and escapes the strategic vulnerability of foreign drug dependence.
The Chairman’s ability to bring together this rare coalition of influential monarchs has been described as a brilliant move to address the nation’s drug security crisis. The royal leaders are His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (CFR, mni), the Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi) and Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II (CON, PhD). They stressed that reducing dependence on imported medicines is critical to safeguarding public health and strengthening the country’s economy. The Emir of Kano, serving as the Keynote Speaker, lent his economic authority to the call for reducing Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported medicines, while the Obi of Onitsha, who chaired the forum, emphasized local production as the path to economic sovereignty. They were joined by the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who chaired the gala dinner, reinforcing the cultural and national mandate for a self-sufficient pharmaceutical sector.
Pharm. Ezebuilo explained his persistent drive to enlist the support of the traditional institution, noting that while Nigerians may speak different languages, wisdom remains a universal currency. He remarked that when elders stand behind a cause, "even stubborn walls begin to develop cracks," and their presence provides the legitimacy and balance needed to survive shifting political and economic cycles. The Chairman noted that having these "First-Class Fathers" sends a powerful signal to policymakers that the pursuit of national health security is no longer just a professional goal, but a shared responsibility across generations and institutions.
In his remarks, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo described medicines and vaccines as strategic national assets, stressing that long-term financing, policy stability, and sustained collaboration between government, regulators, and industry players are essential to achieving pharmaceutical self-reliance in Nigeria. He declared that the era of mere discussion is over, emphasizing that with the highest traditional authorities in the land now watching, "work moves faster". He further highlighted the internal growth of the association, stating: "I will not conclude this section without recognizing the invaluable contributions of our zonal structures. Our zones are becoming stronger, more coordinated, and more impactful".
Following the successful conclusion of the forum, Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Ezebuilo joined the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, at the 2026 annual CEO’s Gala Dinner. Held at the grand banquet hall of the Lagos Marriott Hotel, the event fostered unity and honored local manufacturers who have shown resilience in the face of import dependency. He noted that the dinner served as a necessary antidote to the "all work and no play" nature of the industrial sector, ensuring that Nigeria's pharma giants do not become "dull" despite the significant economic indices currently facing the country. In a moving tribute during the evening, the NAIP leadership was specifically commended for their resilience, with stakeholders commending the team for their brave and selfless work in the face of many challenges.
Following the festivities, the tone shifted to the road ahead, marking the beginning of a new phase of implementation. The chairman noted that all hands must be on deck to achieve a positive result, appealing to all members to see this as a collective mission to help the industry. Key speakers reassured the assembly of sustained commitment, urging leaders to take the assignment seriously so that NAIP can become the "giant of Africa" and a beneficiary of victory. The dinner concluded with a powerful charge to return to the field to deliver victory to the association, as the branch held sessions to honor resilient manufacturers and forge strategic partnerships.
As the forum concluded, the message to the nation was clear: the pharmaceutical industry is now positioned at the heart of Nigeria’s national security agenda. Pharm. Ezebuilo asserted that NAIP members are not just professionals but "Industry Architects" who design systems to stand the test of time. With the backing of history, wisdom, and tradition, the Chairman has set a new standard for industry advocacy, declaring that those who finance Nigeria’s medicines today will be the ones to secure the nation’s sovereignty and prosperity tomorrow.
