Nigeria and Brazil have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating local pharmaceutical manufacturing and industrial cooperation.
The agreement was signed at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, presided over by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The strategic collaboration involves the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), EMS Brazil, and Oaks Medical Limited, and stems from high-level engagements between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during President Tinubu’s recent official visit to Brazil. Both leaders committed to expanding cooperation in pharmaceutical development, vaccine production, and broader industrial growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Coordinating Minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to reposition Nigeria’s health industry for self-reliance and global competitiveness:
“Today’s MoU is a concrete expression of our commitment to strengthening local manufacturing of vaccines and essential medicines. It transforms presidential-level commitments into operational partnerships that advance our health security and accelerate industrial development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He added that through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the government is systematically unlocking the healthcare value chain reducing import dependence, expanding technology transfer, and positioning Nigeria as a regional manufacturing powerhouse.
Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom S., mni, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a major step toward building a resilient and competitive health industry. She emphasised that the collaboration will expand access to essential health commodities and ensure that government-led reforms create real opportunities for Nigerians.
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PVAC National Coordinator Dr. Abdu Mukhtar highlighted the initiative’s pivotal role in removing bottlenecks in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and promoting sustainable local vaccine and pharmaceutical production for national and regional needs.
Representing EMS Brazil, Mr. Ricardo Marques expressed confidence in the partnership, stating that Brazil looks forward to strengthening industrial linkages, deepening technical cooperation, and supporting Nigeria’s long-term goal of pharmaceutical independence.
From Oaks Medical Limited, Dr. Ayotunde Oyedeji reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing base and ensuring sustainable access to high-quality medical products.
Other attendees at the signing included Bakura-Onyeneke Henrietta, Director of Narcotics, Food and Drug Services; Yakubu James Sumi, Deputy Director of Pharmacy; and Adejumoke Benjamin, Project Manager at Oaks Medical Limited.
The Ministry described the MoU as a decisive step toward building a robust, innovation-driven, and self-sustaining pharmaceutical ecosystem that strengthens Nigeria’s health security and advances its industrial transformation goals.
