Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward tackling one of its most pressing public health challenges: access to affordable insulin. With over 5 million Nigerians living with diabetes, patients have long been at the mercy of imported supplies — often scarce, costly, and unreliable. Now, the country has signed a landmark agreement with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd. of China to establish its first-ever local insulin manufacturing plant.
The agreement was signed in Abuja between the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and Shanghai Haiqi, in the presence of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
NBRDA’s Director-General, Abdullahi Mustapha, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Mr. Bokai Zhai, General Manager of Shanghai Haiqi, represented the Chinese company.
Officials say the project will not only secure steady supplies of life-saving medicine but also lower costs and build local capacity in biotechnology. A A According to Mustapha, “This is a turning point. We will finally produce insulin at home, for Nigerians, and eventually for Africa.”
According to the ministry, the facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art production technology, ensuring that insulin manufactured locally meets World Health Organization (WHO) quality standards. Beyond supply stability, the project is expected to conserve foreign reserves previously spent on large-scale imports of the drug.
Minister, Uche Nnaji stressed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of self-sufficiency in critical medicines and industrialisation of the health sector. “This is about more than healthcare,” he said. “It’s about building a knowledge economy, creating jobs for young scientists and engineers, and positioning Nigeria as a biotechnology hub in Africa.”
Shanghai Haiqi’s Zhai underscored that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure, promising technology transfer, training of local scientists, and long-term technical support. “We want this plant to be sustainable, so that Nigerians can own and run it for generations to come”, he said
Health experts note that if successfully implemented, the plant could cut insulin costs significantly, making treatment more affordable for households and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients. It may also pave the way for Nigeria to export insulin to neighbouring West African countries, many of which face similar challenges of dependence on imports.
The project is set to commence with feasibility and site preparation in the coming months, with operations expected to begin within two to three years.
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