Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has intensified its push for locally produced herbal medicines, calling for stronger public confidence, wider distribution and greater investment in Nigerian pharmaceutical research to reduce dependence on imported alternatives.
The university made the call at the AB Pharmaceuticals Business Summit, organised in collaboration with pharmaceutical marketers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where it presented three pharmaceutical products developed under its pharmaceutical services.
The initiative places local medicine production at the centre of a broader conversation about Nigeria’s ability to develop, manufacture and market healthcare products using its own research capacity and indigenous resources.
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According to reports from the summit, ABUAD Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Oluwatoyin Afolabi, said Nigeria continued to rely heavily on foreign herbal products despite having medicinal plants, local knowledge and research institutions capable of contributing to domestic production.
She argued that the country needed to change its attitude towards locally developed products and create stronger business relationships that would help Nigerian-made medicines reach more consumers.
The university’s campaign reflects a growing challenge for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector: translating research and local resources into products that can compete effectively in the domestic market.
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At the summit, ABUAD presented three products: AB Mal, ABUAD Virucidine and AB Health Animation 250mg.
The presentation was intended to increase awareness of the products and establish marketing relationships that could expand their distribution across Nigeria.
Afolabi explained that the initiative was driven by the vision of the university’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola, to encourage the development and production of medicines within the country.
She maintained that Nigerians should give locally developed products greater consideration instead of automatically favouring imported herbal preparations.
However, increased consumer acceptance will depend on more than a product’s country of origin. Product quality, safety, reliable manufacturing, regulatory compliance and credible scientific evidence will remain important factors in building public trust.
The university’s initiative therefore raises an important question for the local pharmaceutical industry: how can Nigerian manufacturers turn home-grown research into products that consumers and healthcare professionals can confidently evaluate and use?
Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines and healthcare products also raises concerns about domestic manufacturing capacity and the flow of money out of the economy.
When demand is met largely through foreign suppliers, local manufacturers may face difficulties expanding production, developing distribution networks and competing for consumer attention.
Afolabi urged Nigerians to reconsider their preference for imported herbal products, particularly those sourced from countries such as China and India.
She said greater investment in Nigerian products could help reverse the trend and provide opportunities for local pharmaceutical businesses.
Reducing import dependence, however, would require a coordinated approach involving manufacturers, investors, distributors, regulators and healthcare professionals.
Local producers would need to demonstrate consistent quality, maintain adequate supplies, establish competitive prices and provide reliable information about their products.
Government policies that support research, manufacturing infrastructure and regulatory compliance could also help create an environment in which domestic pharmaceutical businesses can grow.
ABUAD Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for closer cooperation among universities, pharmaceutical companies, regulators, healthcare professionals, investors and consumers.
She stressed the importance of creating an ecosystem that could move promising research from the laboratory into the marketplace.
Such collaboration could help researchers better understand market needs while enabling manufacturers and distributors to identify practical ways of bringing products to consumers.
Olarinde’s position also highlights a persistent challenge in university research: scientific development does not automatically translate into commercial success.
Researchers need access to funding, manufacturing facilities, regulatory guidance and effective distribution channels to turn their work into products that can compete in a demanding market.
The summit provided an opportunity for ABUAD to engage pharmaceutical marketers and explore business relationships that could support the wider reach of its products.
Peter Ajayi, chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Products Marketers of Nigeria in Ekiti State, commended Afe Babalola’s initiative and expressed the association’s willingness to support efforts to bring the products to prospective consumers.
The involvement of pharmaceutical marketers could be significant because product availability and distribution often determine whether locally manufactured medicines can gain a meaningful share of the market.
Although ABUAD is advocating increased acceptance of Nigerian-made herbal medicines, experts and consumers must distinguish between promoting domestic production and establishing the safety and effectiveness of individual products.
Herbal medicines, like other healthcare products, require appropriate quality controls, accurate labelling, responsible marketing and compliance with applicable regulations.
Claims about their health benefits should be supported by suitable evidence, while consumers should be able to verify their regulatory status and follow appropriate professional guidance.
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) plays a central role in regulating medicines and related products. Manufacturers and marketers must meet the requirements applicable to each product before making claims or distributing it in the market.
ABUAD previously announced that NAFDAC had approved the production of ABUAD Herbal Virucidine Liquid in December 2021. That historical approval does not, by itself, establish the current registration status of every product presented at the recent summit.
For the university’s campaign to achieve lasting results, transparency about product registration, manufacturing standards and supporting evidence will be important in earning the confidence of healthcare professionals and consumers.
ABUAD’s appeal comes as Nigeria continues to explore ways of strengthening local manufacturing and making better use of its scientific and natural resources.
The country has an opportunity to develop its pharmaceutical industry by connecting research institutions with businesses capable of producing, distributing and marketing quality healthcare products.
Nevertheless, reducing reliance on imported herbal medicines will require sustained investment rather than promotional campaigns alone.
Affordable pricing, dependable supply chains, credible evidence, effective regulation and public education will all influence whether Nigerian products can compete successfully with foreign alternatives.
For ABUAD, the immediate priority is to build partnerships that can take its pharmaceutical products beyond the university and into the wider market.
The broader challenge for Nigeria is to ensure that locally developed medicines compete on quality, safety, evidence and accessibility, giving consumers sound reasons to consider products manufactured within the country.
If universities, industry players and regulators can work together effectively, domestic pharmaceutical research could contribute more meaningfully to manufacturing capacity, business opportunities and the country’s long-term healthcare development.
