The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced on Sunday that the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain aims to increase local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria to at least 70% by 2030.

In a video shared on X, Pate explained that the initiative also aims to significantly increase the number of full-time employees working in life sciences manufacturing, with the current workforce of approximately 20,000 set to grow by tens of thousands.

The minister also highlighted the establishment of Nigeria?s new pharmaceutical manufacturing training institute, Empower Academy Nigeria, in partnership with Empower Swiss, Geneva.

He emphasised that this step marks a major leap forward in Nigeria?s efforts to localise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, benefiting the country?s economy and the wider region under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

PVAC, launched as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda in October 2023, is under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

In his statement, Pate said, ?Only a few days ago, the foremost Swiss academy, the Empower School of Health Geneva, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a regional training hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria, which will be launched very soon. It will be named Empower Academy Nigeria. This historic development would not have been possible without the critical work of the Presidential Initiative to unlock the Healthcare Value Chain.?

He further added, ?Since its establishment by the President in October 2023, under the leadership of its National Coordinator, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, PVAC has led to several high-value investment commitments and has set ambitious goals to increase local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria to at least 70% of locally consumed pharmaceuticals and a large portion of the vaccines we consume by 2030. The initiative also aims to boost the workforce in life sciences manufacturing by tens of thousands, establish at least two plants for biologicals, five new medical supplies and diagnostics platforms, and double Nigeria?s pharmaceutical market share in Africa to at least 15%.?

Pate further revealed that over 70 new healthcare manufacturing companies are currently partnering on 22 large-scale projects, which are in negotiations with international financiers, thanks to the support of PVAC.

He acknowledged the contributions of his colleagues, Minister Jumoke Oduwole and Minister John Enoh, who are co-leading the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, for their role in facilitating the initiative.

He explained that the Empower Academy Nigeria would address the country?s significant workforce shortfall in areas such as advanced manufacturing, regulatory sciences, and quality assurance.

The academy will deliver state-of-the-art curricula, train sector-specific faculty and students, and assist regulatory authorities like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in developing and training on standard operating procedures that will strengthen the sector sustainably.

Pate also pointed out that Nigeria was on track to secure at least ?1bn in European Investment Bank financing, alongside $1bn in African Bank financing, to support incoming manufacturers in the health and life sciences sector.

He stated, ?This is one of the main reasons why the first focus of the new institution, Empower Academy in Nigeria, is the training of industry professionals on qualitative local drug production in high-demand and high-mobility sectors. Following that, training will be expanded to accommodate knowledge transfer in support of the local production of pharmaceutical excipients, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, and advanced dosage forms such as inhalers, extended-release medications, and dermatological patches.?

Noting that much of Nigeria?s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is concentrated in Lagos and Ogun states, Pate said that Empower Academy will be strategically located to promote balanced development across the country, offering mobile training solutions applicable to all regions.

He added, ?With a mandate and capacity to train and upskill thousands of professionals annually, underpinned by cutting-edge equipment and world-class facilities, Empower Academy in Nigeria will advance best practices in process engineering, regulatory compliance, quality control, environmental monitoring, business management, entrepreneurship, supply chain and distribution, as well as customer support.?

Pate revealed that Empower Academy Nigeria will offer certification courses in partnership with regional bodies and international organisations, including the World Health Organisation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and the International Federation of Pharmacists. Courses will be taught by trainers with 10 to 20 years of experience.

The effectiveness of the institution will be measured by key performance indicators aligned with global best practices.

He also noted that, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding with Empower School of Health in Geneva, there will be significant co-investment in the establishment of Empower Academy Nigeria, with additional grants expected from other partners.

Pate concluded by emphasising that Nigeria is charting a new path for other nations to follow in providing end-to-end solutions for pharmaceutical and biological manufacturing.

He reiterated the government?s commitment to empowering professionals and advancing the nation?s pharmaceutical capabilities.

He said, ?This is a Nigerian renaissance in full motion and in real time, and this administration is driving tangible improvements to empower all Nigerians so that we all become the change we have always sought. I thank you for keeping faith with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I assure you that our nation?s commitment to uplifting the well-being of our people and growing our national economy through the health sector is resolute.? (Channels TV)

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