NAFDAC: 5+5 Policy, Ceiling List Initiative Cut Drug Imports by 70%, Boosts Local Manufacturing

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has disclosed that the Agency’s ‘5 Plus 5’ policy and Ceiling List initiatives have enhanced local production of medicines and medical devices.

She said this has led to an increase in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in the country from 174 to 190.

Prof. Adeyeye made the assertion during the just concluded Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI organised ‘Invest in Nigeria Conference and Expo 4.0’ where she encouraged foreign investors from over 43 countries at the event to take advantage of the transformation of the food and drug regulatory framework in the country to register their presence in Nigeria.

The NAFDAC boss explained that the 5+5 Policy is a regulatory initiative by the agency, designed in 2019 to phase out the importation of some medicines selected through scientific survey and critical analysis.

According to her, the selected products, which are those for which local manufacturers have the capacity to produce, are prohibited from entering Nigeria and can only be manufactured locally, adding that stakeholders are required to set up facility locally or go into contract manufacturing from existing suitably qualified local manufacturers.

The Ceiling List, an additional regulatory directive to facilitate local manufacturing, she said, increased the number of certain products that were restricted from being imported into Nigeria to 36 from nine in 2020.

The DG further stated that the policies have jointly facilitated a notable increase in facility layouts submissions for both Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Companies.

The Executive Order of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that provided zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value-Added Tax, VAT on imported machinery, equipment, and raw materials for local healthcare manufacturing has added a boost to the pharmaceutical industry.

As of June 2026, the DG said a total of 176 pharmaceutical companies underwent layout reviews (existing and new companies) and approval by the Agency. (Existing companies – 70 and new companies – 106)

She maintained that this trend indicated a shift from importation to local production, reflecting growing industry confidence and investment. Specifically, importation of drug products in these two categories decreased by 70%.

As a result of these initiatives, the ratio of imports: locally manufactured pharmaceutical products has shifted – from 70:30 (2019) to 50:50 (2025).

The policy initiatives, she said, have led to an expansion of contract manufacturing partnerships, stressing that more companies are actively seeking partnerships with GMP-compliant local manufacturers.

Prof. Adeyeye said that the number of companies doing contract manufacturing jumped from 10 in 2019 to 87 in 2026, adding that this approach reduces reliance on international supply chains and supports the development of domestic production capacity.

“The rise in contract manufacturing reflects a strategic move towards sustainable and scalable local operations,” she said, adding that existing facilities are undergoing retrofitting and upgrades to meet international current Good Manufacturing Practice, cGMP standards.

To qualify as a contract manufacturer, she said that companies must meet stringent requirements and have idle capacity to manufacture for contract givers.

Prof. Adeyeye said NAFDAC would continue to provide regulatory support to strengthen the local manufacturing sector- through handholding and CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action) clinics.

The DG further explained that 37 existing manufacturers are under construction upgrading, while 28 of the existing manufacturers have completed construction and are operational.

She said, “There has been a marked increase in foreign investment, particularly in the medical devices sector,” adding that international investors are entering joint ventures with Nigerian firms to establish local manufacturing facilities, further boosting industrial growth. There has also been an increase in technology transfer of formulations for which there is local capacity.

The DG stated that the number of new pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers is steadily increasing with 16 new pharmaceutical manufacturers and six new medical devices & In-vitro diagnostics, IVDs manufacturers.

She noted that these emerging facilities are aligning with regulatory standards, including the installation of HVAC systems and other critical infrastructure.

The DG gave a breakdown of the ‘overall impact of the 5+5/ ceiling list on local manufacturing as follows: 28 newly developed and retrofitted companies and 16 new facilities, making a total of 44, and resulting in a 25% increase in local manufacturing.

As part of stimulating local manufacturing of the items, NAFDAC is implementing another strategy that the Agency is embarking on in the food and cosmetics sectors – the Global Listing Re-evaluation.

The goal is to critically identify products that can be manufactured locally and encourage local manufacturing of such products.

She added that NAFDAC is committed to promoting local manufacturing in Nigeria to strengthen national food and drug security through market-friendly, and innovation-driven regulatory directives.

Prof. Adeyeye noted that implementation of local manufacturing policies has attracted huge investments into the economy. She, however, implored stakeholders to continue to collaborate and cooperate with NAFDAC in the implementation of policies and regulatory directives on local manufacturing.

“The increase in local manufacturing is in tandem with the Executive Order of the Federal Government. We should Embrace it”, she noted.

Photo Caption: Third from Left, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, next to her is the President of LCCI, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi and members of the team of investors from Cameroon at the end of the Conference in Lagos.

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