National Biotechnology Research Development Agency (NBRDA) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company of China to establish Nigeria’s first sustainable insulin manufacturing facility.
The agreement, signed in Abuja by the Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, and the General Manager of Shanghai Haiqi, Bokai Zhai and was witnessed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.
A news statement by the press secretary to the Director General NBRDA said this milestone is expected to significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imported insulin, which has long been a burden for millions of Nigerians living with diabetes and improving access to affordable, high-quality insulin.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister, Innovation science and Technology Dr Uche Nnaji, commended NBRDA’s leadership for driving the initiative, calling it a significant landmark aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises innovation, healthcare security, and economic diversification.
He said for decades, diabetic patients have depended on imported insulin, often at high cost and with limited availability.
With this agreement, Nigeria is stepping into an era of health security, job creation, and industrial innovation.
He disclosed in the statement that beyond saving the nation up to $1 billion in imports every year, this initiative promises hope to every Nigerian family affected by diabetes, while positioning our nation as a hub for biotechnology innovation in Africa,” he said.
Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, underscored the agreement as a turning point for the health sector and for biotechnology advancement in Nigeria.
General Manager of Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd., China, Bokai Zhai, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the project, noting its human and economic impact.
