Dr. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, founder of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, is set to inaugurate a ₦35 billion Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, with full production expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The new factory is designed to produce 400 million metric tonnes of high-quality APIs annually, focusing on critical antimalarial ingredients such as Artemether, Lumefantrine, Sulfadoxine, and Pyrimethamine, which are essential components of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended malaria treatments.
This landmark project represents a major step toward Nigeria’s pharmaceutical self-sufficiency by reducing dependence on imported drugs, conserving foreign exchange, boosting the nation’s GDP, and lowering treatment costs for millions at risk of malaria across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Emzor’s commitment to combating malaria is reflected in its extensive portfolio of over 20 antimalarial products, including tablets, suspensions, and dispersible forms, which have been widely distributed to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.
At 81 years old, Stella Okoli continues to lead Emzor’s expansion with a focus on innovation, quality, and health impact. During a recent media tour of the Sagamu facility, she emphasized the need for strong government support to foster local pharmaceutical production and urged policymakers to create an enabling environment for young talents to thrive in the sector. Emzor’s leadership also highlighted the importance of robust supply chain monitoring to prevent counterfeit drugs and maintain product quality and safety.
Beyond domestic production, Emzor plans to begin exporting pharmaceutical products, which is expected to generate foreign exchange inflows and further strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. The company’s strategic investments in research, production, and distribution underscore its role as a pioneer in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and its dedication to improving health outcomes across Africa.
Dr. Okoli’s new factory in Sagamu is poised to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape, reinforcing Emzor’s legacy as a trailblazer in local drug manufacturing and a key player in the fight against malaria.