The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has recorded an increase in foreign investment in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector following the implementation of its 5+5 Policy, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting the local production of medicines.

NAFDAC announced this achievement on Monday via a post it shared on its official X account.

Introduced in 2018 by the Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said the policy has encouraged foreign firms to establish manufacturing facilities and partner with indigenous companies, boosting local capacity and reducing reliance on imports.

Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Bambang Suharto, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted that Nigeria’s attainment of World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3, alongside its 2025 recertification for the regulation of medicines and vaccines, has enhanced investor confidence.

She also noted that NAFDAC’s state-of-the-art Biologics and Vaccines Laboratory in Lagos further strengthens the country’s regulatory and production capabilities.

Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting investors under the 5+5 policy, an import-to-local production strategy that requires companies to transition to domestic manufacturing within a defined timeframe.

She emphasised that the policy is central to improving access to quality medicines, strengthening drug security, and driving economic growth.

In his remarks, Ambassador Suharto commended NAFDAC’s leadership and expressed Indonesia’s interest in deepening collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance trade, technical exchange, and capacity building.