The Federal Government, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed a new agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for local production of essential health, immunisation, and nutrition commodities.
The partnership, known as Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria (ELM-N), is part of the EU’s Global Gateway Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) Initiative. It seeks to enhance Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in health manufacturing, improve supply chain systems, and expand access to safe and affordable health products for all citizens.
The 24-month project, valued at €6.3 million, with the EU contributing €5.5 million and Spain €800,000, is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, strengthen regulatory compliance, and foster innovation within the pharmaceutical and nutrition sectors.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, held under the Nigeria, EU Health Investment Forum, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the agreement as a milestone in the country’s partnership with the EU.
“We are glad to be signing this agreement, and we value the European Union’s partnership with Nigeria through initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway Investment Package,” he said.
Bagudu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aligning investments with national policy priorities, fiscal discipline, and measurable results. “This partnership will expand opportunities for technology transfer, facility financing, and local production, advancing Nigeria’s vision to become a regional hub for health innovation, research, and development,” he added.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, said the initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to a new model of collaboration that prioritises investment and sustainability over aid dependency.
“More than anything, we want to support the paradigm shift taking place in Nigeria and West Africa, moving from aid to peer-to-peer collaboration and from standalone projects to a dynamic investment strategy,” Mignot noted.
Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Félix Costales Artieda, said Spain’s contribution to the partnership will help promote equitable access to locally produced health commodities across the ECOWAS region.
“This event marks an important step in our joint effort to harness Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and strengthen health security,” he said.
Also speaking, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, represented by UNICEF Representative Wafaa Abdelate, said the partnership is critical not only for improving healthcare access but also for driving economic growth and system resilience.
“In Nigeria, we have over two million zero-dose children and a high maternal mortality rate. This underscores the urgency of ensuring that investments and partnerships translate into affordable, safe, and timely access to vaccines, medicines, and nutrition products,” Abdelate said.
She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting government-led efforts to build a more resilient health system capable of meeting the aspirations of all Nigerians.
