The federal government, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have formalised a partnership to boost Nigeria’s capacity for local production of health, immunisation, and nutrition commodities.
The initiative, known as Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria (ELM-N), falls under the EU’s Global Gateway’s Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) Initiative. It seeks to advance Nigeria’s self-reliance in the production of essential health products, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure equitable access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines.
The 24-month project, valued at €6.3 million, comprising an EU contribution of €5.5 million and an additional €800,000 from Spain—aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imports, boost regulatory compliance, and foster innovation across the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Abubakar Bagudu, minister of Budget and Economic Planning, noted that the agreement underscores the deepening partnership between Nigeria and the EU in building a stronger, more competitive, and pharmaceutical sector. “We are glad that we are signing this agreement, and we value the European Union’s partnership with Nigeria through initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway Investment Package.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to aligning investments with clear policy priorities, fiscal discipline, and measurable outcomes, Bagudu said, “This partnership is expanding opportunities for technology transfer, facility financing, and local manufacturing production, proposing Nigeria’s mission to become a regional hub for health, innovation, research, and development.”
Representing Team Europe, Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of strategic investment partnerships, which, according to him, “is what the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Strategy is about.”
He said, “More than anything, we want to support the paradigm shift taking place in Nigeria and West Africa, moving from aid to peer-to-peer collaboration, from standalone projects, however important, to a dynamic investment strategy.
“Under MAV+, we provide both financial and non-financial support to manufacturers, governments, academic institutions, and all actors contributing to the local manufacturing agenda. We work closely with the government to identify investment opportunities.”
In his remarks, Félix Artieda, Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria,noted that the partnership will not only promote local manufacturing but will also ensure equitable access throughout the ECOWAS region.
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“This event marks an important step in our joint endeavours to advance the full potential of Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and health security,” he said.
For Mohamed Fall, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the partnership is not just about investment access and healthcare for all people; it is also about unlocking economic development and strengthening the health system.
Fall, represented by UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Abdelate, said, “In Nigeria, we have over 2 million zero dose children and a large maternal mortality rate because Nigeria is a very big country, so the numbers are big. This also stresses that it is very urgent and important that this transformation, investment, and partnership results in people having access to affordable, timely, safe, health products or vaccines and also medicine or nutrition products.
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“We are very much committed to supporting efforts under the leadership of the government. Our collaborative efforts can effectively and meaningfully support the vision of the government and aspirations of the people for a more resilient Nigerian,” he added.
