Pharm. Valentine Chinedu Okelu, Vice National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) and MD/CEO of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, has advocated for greater collaboration and strategic funding in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
He made the call during the panel discussion at the 28th Annual National Conference of NAIP held on June 26, 2025. The event focused on the theme “Scale, Innovation, and Transformation of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry” (SIT 2025), addressing the pathway to drug independence.
Speaking at the event, Okelu emphasized the urgent need for the industry to shift from hyper-competition to a model of “co-competition.” He stated, “Everyone is fighting to outdo the other person, and in the process, we lose the opportunity that we can form from collaborating with each other.” This call for partnership comes amid challenges facing manufacturers, such as excess input materials languishing in warehouses due to the high minimum commercial quantities required for production.
He also criticized the tendency within the industry for multiple manufacturers to flood the market with similar products, leading to price crashes and product expirations. “I will recommend that we sit back and ask ourselves what we are going to be the best at, what our pedigree supports, and focus on those areas where we can win big,” Okelu advised, underscoring the importance of strategic differentiation in product development.
Funding emerged as another pivotal point in Okelu’s remarks. He highlighted the necessity for a well-thought-out plan to secure patient capital for pharmaceutical manufacturing. “Data has shown that it takes between 5-10 years to set up a proper manufacturing outfit. How do players in the segment access the required funding to set up manufacturing facilities that will take up to 5-10 years?” he questioned, stressing the need for systematic strategies to access investments.
Citing successful global examples, Okelu pointed out that countries with robust manufacturing capabilities have clear strategies for capital access and provide incentives for local manufacturers to thrive. He asserted, “There is no multinational company or global player that left their country of origin and started business in another country and did well. They all started from their local environment and then moved global.”
Pharm. Okelu’s insights from the NAIP conference highlight the critical importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic funding to reshape Nigeria's pharmaceutical landscape, paving the way toward self-sufficiency and drug independence. The emphasis on unity and shared responsibility among stakeholders poses a compelling vision for the future of the industry, urging all players to take actionable steps toward fostering growth and development in local manufacturing.
