Nigeria may soon begin local veterinary drug manufacturing following a proposal by Chromedix Pharmaceuticals Limited to establish the country’s first production facility for veterinary hormonal medicines. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported products while strengthening livestock healthcare and pharmaceutical production.
The proposal comes about five months after the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development raised concerns over the continued circulation of substandard and falsified veterinary medicines in Nigeria. The ministry warned that poor-quality products entering local supply chains pose significant risks to livestock farmers and the agricultural sector.
According to a statement, Chromedix Pharmaceuticals presented the proposal during a meeting with the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, in Abuja.
The company’s Team Lead, Dr. Dennis Brownie, said the proposed facility would serve as Nigeria’s first manufacturing plant dedicated to veterinary hormonal drugs. He added that the project is designed to reduce reliance on imported veterinary pharmaceuticals while creating the first hormonal pharmaceutical manufacturing platform in Sub-Saharan Africa for both veterinary and human healthcare products.
Brownie explained that the project would be supported through a strategic partnership with Bayer, which would provide technology transfer and technical expertise to help develop world-class manufacturing capabilities in Nigeria. According to him, the collaboration would strengthen local production capacity, promote international best practices and accelerate the development of a competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.
Brownie said local veterinary drug manufacturing aligns with the Federal Government’s economic priorities by improving livestock productivity, enhancing food security, creating skilled employment opportunities and positioning Nigeria as a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. He noted that expanding domestic production would help improve access to quality veterinary medicines while supporting sustainable growth within the livestock industry.
Responding to the proposal, Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, described the initiative as consistent with the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda. He expressed support for stronger collaboration between government and private investors to expand local industrial capacity.
“This initiative will contribute significantly to socio-economic development by improving access to quality veterinary healthcare products and reducing dependence on imports,” the minister said. Maiha added that the ministry remains committed to supporting credible partnerships capable of accelerating growth across the livestock sector.
If implemented, local veterinary drug manufacturing could strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, improve access to quality veterinary medicines and reduce the country’s dependence on imported products while supporting livestock development and economic growth.
