The Federal Government has intensified efforts to accelerate the local production of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits as part of its drive to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing sector, reduce reliance on imports and improve access to affordable diagnostic services.
The move was reinforced during a strategic review meeting chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, in Abuja, where key stakeholders assessed progress on plans to operationalise a local manufacturing facility for Rapid Diagnostic Test kits and In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs).
The meeting brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Troment Biotechnology Limited.
The stakeholders reviewed implementation milestones, resolved outstanding issues and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fast-tracking local production in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Increasing Local Production of Healthcare Products.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Pate described domestic production of diagnostic kits as critical to Nigeria’s healthcare and economic resilience.
“Local manufacturing of diagnostics is not just an economic priority; it is a health security imperative. We are removing every bottleneck to accelerate production and deliver affordable test kits to Nigerians,” he said.
To speed up implementation, the minister directed the immediate processing of the Advance Purchase Guarantee (APG) Agreement and instructed the Ministry’s legal and technical teams to work closely with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, NASENI and Troment Biotechnology Limited to conclude all outstanding legal and administrative processes.
He also ordered regular implementation reviews to ensure the timely execution of the project.
Pate reiterated that expanding domestic manufacturing of essential healthcare commodities remains a key pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that local production of RDT kits and IVDs would strengthen Nigeria’s health security and build a more resilient healthcare system.
According to him, the initiative will reduce the country’s dependence on imported diagnostics, improve access to quality and affordable testing services, stimulate industrial growth and create skilled employment opportunities.
The local manufacturing project forms part of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, a Federal Government reform programme designed to boost domestic production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics and other healthcare products, while positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for healthcare manufacturing and innovation.
