Expert Makes Case for Healthcare Manufacturing in Nigeria
The Managing Director of Colexa Biosensor Limited, Kingsley Aguoru, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise local pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing as a critical pathway to achieving healthcare security, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking during a recent interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Kingsley Aguoru stated that while recent Federal Government initiatives to strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain and support local manufacturers are encouraging, however, greater commitment is needed to ensure the policies deliver meaningful impact.
Aguoru added that the goal is not to completely phase out imports but to build a balanced ecosystem in which local production serves as the primary driver of healthcare supply.
“Manufacturing is the foundation of economic prosperity. It creates jobs, builds technical expertise, promotes innovation, and strengthens national self-sufficiency. Every industrialised nation built its wealth on manufacturing, and Nigeria cannot be an exception.
“No country operates without imports. Nigeria nneds to have a clear and sustained strategy that gradually shifts us from a situation where we import the majority of our healthcare products to one where local manufacturing meets a significant share of national demand,” he said.
He argued that a stronger manufacturing base would provide opportunities for thousands of Nigerian graduates in science and technology-related fields while helping to retain critical skills within the country.
Aguoru urged policymakers to engage more closely with manufacturers and other stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of existing interventions and address challenges hindering growth within the sector.
According to him, Nigeria possesses the talent, market size, and entrepreneurial capacity required to become a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in Africa if the right enabling environment is sustained.
“Manufacturing requires significant capital, patience, and resilience. The challenge is often perception rather than quality. Nigerian manufacturers can compete effectively when given the right support and opportunities. Healthcare security cannot be achieved through importation alone.
“We must build local capacity, support local manufacturers, and create policies that encourage long-term investment. If we remain committed to that path, Nigeria can become more self-reliant, create jobs, strengthen its healthcare system, and secure a healthier future for its people.”
