Nigeria, Chinese Firm Sign Agreement For In-country Insulin Production

The Nigerian government has moved to stop importing insulin and build a capacity to produce insulin locally in the country to tackle diabetes.

The minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, disclosed this at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Sustainable Insulin Production in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja between the Ministry, through its Agency, the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), and the Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Limited of China.

Minister further said that for decades’ millions of Nigerians living with diabetes had depended on imported insulin, often at high cost and limited availability, hence this agreement between the Ministry through its Agency NABRDA and the Chinese company, diabetic citizens in the country can now access their drugs locally at a low cost.

Uche emphasised that localising insulin production will not only address a critical health need but also create jobs, build technical expertise, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for medical biotechnology, which is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister applauded the initiative, saying that the Ministry was converting research into production, adding that the partnership underscored the deep friendship between the two countries and it demonstrated what could be achieved, when science, technology and international cooperation come together in service of humanity.

Also speaking, the director general of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that the project would transform research into practical, homegrown solutions that would  address national needs.

He also said that the collaboration with the Chinese company reflected the country’s growing capacity to engage in high-impact biotechnology research and development, focusing on healthcare innovation.

Earlier, the general manager of Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company, Bokai Shai, said that the collaboration’s purpose was to enhance the country’s insulin production and promote the development of Nigerian pharmaceutical industries.