Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka has called on Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers to abandon an “alibi culture” of excuses and adopt Strategic Quality Excellence to compete globally and strengthen health security. Speaking at the 29th NAIP conference in Ilorin, Chidoka said Nigeria is at a crossroads and must build a governance structure that supports industrial growth and protects public health. He argued that manufacturers should take ownership of outcomes regardless of regulatory or infrastructural gaps.
Chidoka highlighted the cost burden on Nigerians, noting that four basic supplements and OTC products cost ₦130,520 locally compared to $54 in the US and $37 in South Africa. He attributed the gap partly to Nigeria’s 70-80% reliance on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients and stressed that the industry must shift to an “Agency Culture” focused on accountability, data, and innovation. He said regulatory compliance should be seen as an opportunity to meet WHO and US FDA standards, not a burden.
NAIP National Chairman Bankole Ezebuilo echoed the call, saying excellence must become an internal culture supported by KPIs, benchmarking, and continuous feedback. Chidoka proposed adopting “Mekaria,” an African philosophy of continuous improvement, and his M²I framework to institutionalize accountability. He concluded that quality is not a compliance cost but a competitive edge that can position Nigerian firms for global contract manufacturing and leadership under AfCFTA.
