Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is preparing for a major strategic reset as three of the country’s most respected traditional leaders are set to headline the 2026 NAIP Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum.
The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will play central roles at the high-level gathering organized by the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), under the leadership of its National Chairman, Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo.
The forum, themed ‘Reimagining Nigeria’s Health Security: Local Production, Economic Sovereignty and Strategic Partnership’, will hold on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, bringing together top pharmaceutical executives, policymakers, regulators, investors and development partners.
NAIP leadership described the participation of the traditional rulers as a significant step toward broadening conversations around health security beyond industry players to include cultural influence, governance and national development leadership.
The Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum is designed as a strategic platform for pharmaceutical industry leaders to assess Nigeria’s economic performance, analyze current realities, project future trends and develop collective strategies aimed at strengthening local production and reducing reliance on imports.
Organizers noted that the Emir of Kano brings extensive global economic experience and reform minded perspectives to discussions on economic sovereignty and industrial growth. The Obi of Onitsha contributes decades of corporate leadership and institutional governance experience, while the Ooni of Ife reinforces the forum’s focus on innovation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships.
Beyond discussions, the forum is structured to deliver practical outcomes capable of strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain, improving medicine quality and positioning the industry as a central pillar of the nation’s healthcare system.
The Economic Outlook segment will provide industry leaders with insights into economic risks, emerging opportunities and policy directions, helping businesses prepare for sustainability while contributing to national development goals.
Expected attendees include senior government officials, regulators, academic experts, pharmaceutical executives and international partners, all working toward a shared vision of a resilient, self-reliant and globally competitive pharmaceutical sector.
As preparations intensify toward February 2026, NAIP is signaling a shift away from import dependency toward a future driven by local production, innovation and strategic collaboration.
With traditional authority, industry expertise and policy leadership converging at one table, the 2026 NAIP Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum is positioned to redefine Nigeria’s healthcare economy and set a new course for health security in the years ahead.
