Nigeria Set To Produce Insulin Locally, Ending Decades Of Costly Imports
For decades, millions of Nigerians living with diabetes have depended on imported insulin often scarce and painfully expensive.
That reality is about to change as the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Limited of China to begin local production of insulin in Nigeria.
The deal, sealed in Abuja, was facilitated through the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA) under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Minister Uche Geoffrey Nnaji described the partnership as a “bold step” towards ending reliance on imports, saying local insulin production would make the life-saving drug more affordable and accessible.
Beyond healthcare benefits, he noted that the project will create jobs, build local expertise, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for medical biotechnology which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Director General of NABRDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, stressed that the move reflects Nigeria’s commitment to turning research into practical, homegrown solutions.
On his part, Shanghai Haiqi’s General Manager, Bokai Shai, said the collaboration aims to boost Nigeria’s pharmaceutical capacity and improve healthcare delivery.
