The Role of Policy in Scaling Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Nigeria’s pharmaceutical system is entering a defining moment. For decades, it has

operated with fragmented coordination, limited manufacturing capacity, and heavy

dependence on donor-driven delivery models. Today, these long-standing pressures

have reached a critical point. The departure of global pharmaceutical companies, rising

medicine prices and the approaching 2028 transition away from vaccine funding have

created an environment where the system to confront realities can no longer be

deferred. The question is no longer whether reform is needed, but how quickly a

cohesive nation can take shape.

These questions shaped the first roundtable of the Nigeria Medicines Policy Series,

convened by the Global Policy Network on 13 August 2025. Representatives from state

Drug Management Agencies (DMA), national regulators, private manufacturers,

development partners, academia, and logistics experts came together to discuss a

central theme: how can Nigeria move from a donor-reliant fragmented model towards

a government led, resilient and locally anchored pharmaceutical supply chain?

Why Now?

Nigeria imports over 70% of its medicines and local manufactures continue to face high tariffs on raw materials, unstable foreign exchange markets, and the absence of guaranteed offtake agreements. Recent assessments have also highlighted significant circulation of substandard and falsified medicines. At the same time, the country is approaching a funding cliff with donor support for vaccines expected to reduce significantly by 2028, requiring a rapid shift to domestic financing. Participants noted that the period of relying on external systems is coming to an end. This roundtable was therefore organised at a time when coordinated guidance is needed to align national and state-level actors behind a unified strategy.

Across the discussion, six clear themes emerged, highlighting the key areas where

Nigeria must focus its efforts to build a stable and efficient supply chain.

1. Governance must shift from fragmentation to coordination: Nigeria has made significant progress by increasing the number of functional Drug Management Agencies from six to twenty-six. However, operations still take place in silos and donor partners often introduce parallel systems that undermine national ownership. Participants stressed that future progress depends on stronger coordination between national and state structures, as well as more consistent engagement with the Forum of Heads of DMAs.

2. Financing must be protected and domestically anchored: As donor

   support declines, Nigeria's financing gaps have become increasingly visible. The

   Basic Healthcare Provision Fund provides an important foundation, yet it

   remains insufficient to meet national needs. The roundtable highlighted the

   importance of ring-fenced state funding, which DMAs have begun implementing,

   and the broader political need to increase Nigeria’s health budget to meet Abuja

   Declaration commitments.

3. Procurement reform is necessary for quality and affordability: Pooling

   procurement across states can increase purchasing power, reduce costs, and

   improve quality oversight. However, different states operate with different levels

   of testing capacities. Participants agreed that harmonised national quality

   standards, and zonal quality assurance laboratories will be central to

   strengthening the system and make it more reliable.

4. Local production is a matter of national health security: Almost two

   hundred manufacturers are now operating in Nigeria, with the potential to

   produce most essential medicines domestically. The roundtable highlighted the

   urgency of expanding this capability to include vaccines and other complex

   products. As the 2028 vaccine transition approaches, the country needs a clear,

   funded national roadmap for local manufacturing and long-term resilience.

5. Workforce development must match system demands: Pharmacists and

   supply chain professionals are increasingly expected to combine clinical,

   logistical, and policy skills. Current training does not fully prepare graduates for

   the operational realities of DMAs or national procurement systems. Participants

   recommended renewed investment in education reform, leadership development,

   and practical training to strengthen the workforce.

6. International and regional models provide a practical path forward:

   Examples from Ghana, Rwanda, India, and the European Union show how

   traceability systems, digital oversight, and coordinated procurement can

   significantly strengthen medicine quality and availability. Participants noted that

   Nigeria can adapt these models to its context without starting from scratch.

The roundtable demonstrated a collective willingness to move beyond diagnosing

familiar problems and focus on practical solutions instead. Regulators acknowledged

ongoing enforcement challenges. Manufacturers recognised the need to align with

quality standards. Donor partners accepted the limitations of parallel programmes.

State agencies reaffirmed the need for interoperability and maturity to drive sustainable progress.

A unified message emerged, Nigeria has the technical expertise and institutional

foundations to strengthen its pharmaceutical system. What it requires now is

coordinated governance, consistent financing, and a deliberate national roadmap.

This roundtable report sets the foundation for the Nigeria Medicines Policy Series.

Future sessions will examine specific themes in greater depth, including vaccine

manufacturing, local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, last mile logistics, and the role of digital infrastructure. Each roundtable will build on the previous one to ensure that insights lead to real policy progress.

Nigeria is not simply working to improve supply chains. It is working to ensure that

every community can access safe, affordable, and reliable medicines. The path to a

self-reliant system is challenging, but the direction is clear: a coordinated, government-led, and resilient pharmaceutical sector.

To follow the series, visit https://www.globalpolicynetwork.com or to view our reports, visit www.globalpolicynetwork.com/reports