The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with China’s Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd to establish Nigeria’s first insulin production plant. The agreement was formalised in Abuja, with Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director‑General of NBRDA, signing on behalf of the Federal Government, and Shanghai Haiqi’s General Manager, Bokai Zhai, signing for the company. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, witnessed the signing.
Prof. Mustapha described the initiative as a turning point for Nigeria’s health sector and biotechnology development. By producing insulin locally, the country will reduce its reliance on imports, save billions of naira in foreign exchange each year, and move toward medical self‑sufficiency. The plant is expected to meet the growing demand for insulin among millions of Nigerians with diabetes, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in the pharmaceutical sector.
Bokai Zhai emphasised Shanghai Haiqi’s commitment to technology transfer, building local capacity, and supporting the expansion of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. The partnership between NBRDA and Shanghai Haiqi represents a significant step toward Nigeria’s goal of self‑sufficiency in essential medicines and positions the nation to become a major player in the global pharmaceutical market.
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