Nigeria, Brazil sign MoU to boost local drug manufacturing

Nigeria has signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil to accelerate local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen industrial cooperation.

The agreement is between the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), EMS Brazil, and Oaks Medical Limited.

The signing ceremony, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was presided over by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.

According to a statement posted on the Nigerian government’s official X account on 26 November, the deal is part of renewed efforts to translate high-level diplomatic commitments into operational partnerships.

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Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector remains heavily import-dependent, currently producing less than 40 per cent of national drug needs.

In April, the government announced a target of achieving 70 per cent local pharmaceutical production by 2030, under the PVAC initiative.

The Minister said the initiative is also designed to expand the country’s life sciences workforce. He noted that the existing workforce of about 20,000 full-time employees is expected to “grow by tens of thousands” as manufacturing capacity increases.

MoU builds on previous engagements

According to the statement, the new MoU follows recent engagements between President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the Nigerian leader’s visit to Brazil.

Both presidents had emphasised deeper cooperation in pharmaceutical development, vaccine production, and industrial growth.

It noted that the agreement is expected to significantly boost local production of essential medicines and vaccines, reduce import dependency, and strengthen Nigeria’s health security.

Focus areas

Under the partnership, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) will serve as the implementation framework to address bottlenecks across the healthcare value chain.

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The framework prioritises: technology transfer from Brazilian partners, capacity building for Nigerian pharmaceutical scientists and manufacturers, upgrading and expansion of local production facilities, and strengthening regulatory and industrial systems.

The government said the policy aims to ensure that ongoing reforms “translate into practical benefits for citizens” by engaging both public and private sector players.

The collaboration is also expected to deepen long-term technical and industrial ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

These include enhanced knowledge sharing, improved skills development, and increased investment in local pharmaceutical infrastructure.

“Through the PVAC platform, the government is working to accelerate vaccine and pharmaceutical self-reliance while generating new economic opportunities, boosting employment, and reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global healthcare and industrial landscape,” the statement added.