The Federal Government has entered a €10.2 million partnership with the European Union (EU) and France to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and boost local medicine production.
The agreement, signed under the EU’s Global Gateway Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) initiative, aims to enhance access to quality healthcare and promote research-driven innovation in Nigeria’s health sector.
The 44-month project, titled Qualimeds Nigeria, will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and other local partners.
According to the EU delegation, the project will help modernise laboratories, improve regulatory standards, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for pharmaceutical innovation and quality control.
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Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the agreement reflects the “enduring partnership between the EU, France, and Nigerian stakeholders.”
He noted that the goal is to make Nigeria’s healthcare system “sustainable, diversified, and affordable, while creating jobs and opportunities for citizens.”
France’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, also reaffirmed his country’s commitment through the Team Europe initiative, saying the collaboration reflects shared values of equity, solidarity, and human dignity.
He added that France, through the French Development Agency, is proud to support Qualimeds Nigeria in strengthening health systems and empowering local communities.
NIPRD’s Director-General, Dr. Obi Adigwe, described the initiative as a catalyst for technology transfer, job creation, and economic growth through a stronger pharmaceutical industry.
The Qualimeds Nigeria project is expected to upgrade NIPRD laboratories to meet international standards, boost local medicine production, and promote greater self-sufficiency in vaccines and essential drugs.