The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to partnering with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to expand domestic drug production and position Nigeria as a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of DABO 2025, the 98th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Kano, Ogunyemi said it was a privilege to address a gathering of “pharmacists, researchers, and industry stakeholders who are shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.”

He noted that pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring national health and wellbeing, describing the profession as one built on “trust, expertise and dedication”—values which he said align perfectly with NEPZA’s mandate and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for industrial development.

“With the right support and infrastructure, Nigeria can become a hub of high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and innovation,” he said.

He emphasized that NEPZA is fully committed to creating the enabling environment needed for pharmaceutical companies to thrive within Nigeria’s free trade zones.

Ogunyemi explained that NEPZA, as the government agency responsible for establishing, licensing and regulating free trade zones, offers opportunities that can accelerate drug production and export competitiveness.

According to him, the zones provide state–of–the–art infrastructure, streamlined regulatory processes, modern equipment, and faster approval systems that enable companies to speed up product development and access global markets through trade agreements and partnerships.

He added that companies within the zones also benefit from duty-free operations and other incentives that boost productivity and reduce operational bottlenecks. “By leveraging these benefits, pharmaceutical companies can focus on what truly matters—developing lifesaving medications, improving healthcare outcomes, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.

Ogunyemi stressed that NEPZA looks forward to stronger collaboration with PSN in three key areas:

· Expanding domestic manufacturing capacity

· Improving regulatory efficiency to support pharmaceutical practice

· Developing talent and technical expertise to drive innovation

“We are committed to working with PSN to ensure the regulatory environment supports what you do. We want to help develop the skills and capacity needed to drive this industry forward,” he stated.

In his closing remarks, Ogunyemi reaffirmed NEPZA’s long-term commitment to the pharmaceutical sector. “We believe in the potential of this industry, and we look forward to partnering with PSN to build a world-class pharmaceutical ecosystem—one that benefits our nation and contributes to global health,” he concluded.

His remarks resonate with the delegates, who described the partnership offer as a significant step toward reducing drug import dependence and strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sovereignty.