Colexa Biosensor MD: Local Manufacturing Must Drive Nigeria's Healthcare Future

The Managing Director of Colexa Biosensor Limited, Mr Kingsley Aguoru, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise local pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing as a strategic path to healthcare security, job creation and broader economic development. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Aguoru commended ongoing government efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain but stressed that greater commitment is needed for those initiatives to achieve their intended impact.

Imports Should Complement, Not Dominate

Aguoru argued that Nigeria must deliberately build a healthcare ecosystem in which local production serves as the primary driver of supply, with imports playing a complementary rather than dominant role. He warned against the current trajectory of heavy import dependence and called for a clear, sustained strategy to shift the balance toward domestic manufacturing.

Manufacturing is the foundation of economic prosperity. It creates jobs, builds technical expertise, promotes innovation, and strengthens national self-sufficiency. Every industrialised nation built its wealth on manufacturing, and Nigeria cannot be an exception.

— Kingsley Aguoru, MD, Colexa Biosensor Limited

No country operates without imports. Nigeria needs to have a clear and sustained strategy that gradually shifts us from a situation where we import the majority of our healthcare products to one where local manufacturing meets a significant share of national demand.

— Kingsley Aguoru

Jobs, Talent Retention and Innovation at Stake

Aguoru noted that expanding local manufacturing capacity would improve access to healthcare products while creating employment for thousands of Nigerian graduates, particularly in science and technology-related fields. He argued that a robust manufacturing sector would also help retain skilled professionals within the country, reversing the brain drain that has long weakened Nigeria's technical and research base.

Nigeria Has What It Takes — With the Right Policies

The Colexa Biosensor boss expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the human capital, market potential and entrepreneurial drive to emerge as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub on the continent, provided the right policies and support systems are maintained. He called on policymakers to engage more closely with manufacturers and stakeholders in the healthcare value chain to identify bottlenecks and evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions.

Manufacturing requires significant capital, patience, and resilience. The challenge is often perception rather than quality. Nigerian manufacturers can compete effectively when given the right support and opportunities.

— Kingsley Aguoru

Healthcare Security Cannot Be Imported

Aguoru maintained that achieving genuine healthcare security would require deliberate, long-term investment in local production capabilities rather than continued reliance on imported medical products. He warned that no amount of importation alone could substitute for a self-sustaining domestic manufacturing base.

Healthcare security cannot be achieved through importation alone. We must build local capacity, support local manufacturers, and create policies that encourage long-term investment. If we remain committed to that path, Nigeria can become more self-reliant, create jobs, strengthen its healthcare system, and secure a healthier future for its people.

— Kingsley Aguoru, MD, Colexa Biosensor Limited