Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Anambra state governor, has called for greater investment in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, stressing the urgent need to strengthen local drug production to reduce dependence on imports and enhance national health security.
Soludo made the remarks during the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), in Awka, Anambra state, where he commended May & Baker Nigeria Plc for its pioneering efforts in indigenous drug manufacturing.
The governor, who made an unscheduled stop at the May & Baker exhibition booth shortly after arriving at the event, was visibly impressed by the array of medications on display, many of which, were produced locally at the company’s ultramodern Pharmacentre in Ota, Ogun state.
Speaking with representatives of the pharmaceutical firm, Soludo described local drug manufacturing as a strategic imperative in the country’s journey toward healthcare sovereignty, noting that Nigeria must increasingly rely on its own capacity to research, produce, and distribute medicines tailored to local health needs.
“Nigeria needs more indigenous pharmaceutical investment. What May & Baker is doing is commendable. This is the kind of innovation and localization we need in the health sector. It is not just about manufacturing, it’s about building resilience in our healthcare system through local expertise and indigenous resources,” Soludo said.
Receiving the governor at the exhibition stand, Pharm. Patrick Ajah, the managing director and chief executive officer of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation, local research partnerships, and quality assurance.
Ajah revealed that May & Baker, Nigeria’s first pharmaceutical company, has invested significantly in its herbal drug production facility, an extension of its broader mission to promote health solutions developed from local herbs and by Nigerian scientists.
Among the herbal products showcased was Roveda, a medication made from bitter-leaf extracts and developed through research by Professor Ernest Izevbigie, the vice chancellor of Benson Idahosa University. Another, Niclovix, was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja. Both drugs are currently being manufactured and commercialized by May & Baker.
“These are proudly Nigerian innovations, researched by Nigerians, developed with local herbs, and produced in Nigeria. Our vision is to keep expanding this capacity and to ensure that Nigeria is not just a market for imported medicines but a hub for pharmaceutical development and export,” Ajah told the Governor.
The governor, visibly intrigued by the herbal formulations, engaged the May & Baker team with questions about the products’ efficacy, target conditions, and clinical backing. He noted that indigenous pharmaceutical production, particularly in areas like herbal medicine, offers a cost-effective and culturally relevant response to the country’s health challenges.
When asked about May & Baker’s presence in Anambra, Ajah disclosed that the company currently operates a depot in Onitsha and has initiated plans to establish its own pharmaceutical facility in the city. This, he said, is part of a broader strategy to decentralize production and increase local access across Nigeria’s regions.
Soludo welcomed the development and assured the company of the state government’s support in facilitating the expansion. “Anambra is open for business, especially when it concerns the health and well-being of our people. We will work with credible companies like yours to bring lasting impact to our communities,” the governor affirmed.
