In a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) has entered into a formal agreement with Empower School of Health (Empower Swiss), based in Geneva, to establish a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Training Academy in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This collaboration is geared toward filling the critical talent gap in the country’s pharmaceutical industry. It also aligns with the national target of producing 70% of pharmaceuticals by 2030 and 60% of vaccines by 2040, in line with the Africa Centres for Disease Control’s vision.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the significance of skilled manpower at the signing ceremony, stating, “To manufacture effectively, you need not just facilities, but the right talent.”

A statement from PVAC emphasized that while Nigeria produces a large number of graduates, many lack practical industry exposure due to the scarcity of local pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure.

Empower Swiss, a globally recognized leader in pharmaceutical education, brings its expertise from over 40 countries to create a phased, sustainable, and industry-relevant training structure. The initiative aims to equip young Nigerians with essential skills, stimulate local production, and reinforce the nation’s healthcare and economic resilience.

In a prior announcement in December 2024, Prof. Pate revealed that over 70 new healthcare manufacturers are poised to implement 22 large-scale projects in Nigeria. He also noted the development of over 10 healthcare value chain verticals, reflecting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to shifting Nigeria’s health sector from a consumption model to one that generates jobs and economic value.

Additionally, PVAC has catalyzed the formation of financing partnerships involving five development finance institutions to support healthcare investments.

Established under President Tinubu’s leadership in October 2023, PVAC seeks to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through strategic investments and enhanced private-sector involvement, particularly in the local manufacturing of medical products and services.