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By Doris Obinna
As the world marks World Malaria Day 2026 Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries has called for urgent and coordinated action to eliminate malaria in Nigeria, emphasising the need for strengthened local drug manufacturing, strategic investments in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and expanded access to life-saving treatments for vulnerable populations.
The company’s appeal comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s disproportionate malaria burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria accounts for approximately 27 per cent of global malaria cases and nearly one-third of malaria-related deaths worldwide. Children under five years old remain the most affected group, underscoring what stakeholders describe as both a public health emergency and a moral imperative.
Executive Director, Emzor, Uzoma Ezeoke, said achieving malaria elimination would require more than intermittent interventions. She noted that building resilient health systems anchored on local pharmaceutical production is essential to ensuring consistent access to high-quality and affordable medicines.
She said local manufacturing must now be seen as central to Nigeria’s national health security and economic stability, warning that continued dependence on imported medicines exposes the country to global supply chain disruptions that could undermine malaria control efforts. “A major component of Emzor’s advocacy is increased investment in domestic API production. APIs are the core components used in producing finished pharmaceutical drugs, and Nigeria currently relies heavily on imports for these materials.”
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Chairman, Emzor Group, Emeka Okoli, described API development as the “next frontier” for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector. He stated that achieving sustainable malaria elimination requires building true pharmaceutical independence, adding that investment in API capability is both an industrial necessity and a public health priority.
Beyond manufacturing, the company highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve access to effective malaria treatments tailored to vulnerable groups. Among its products is a child-friendly dispersible formulation of artemether-lumefantrine designed for children aged three months to five years. The tablets it added dissolve easily in water or milk, making them easier for caregivers to administer and improving treatment adherence.
Emzor also pointed to its sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine product used in intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, a key intervention aimed at reducing malaria-related complications for both mothers and infants.
Ezeoke noted that innovation must go beyond laboratory development to address real-world challenges faced by patients and caregivers. She said the company’s approach focuses on ensuring that treatments are not only effective but also practical and accessible, particularly for populations most at risk.
The company further called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, policymakers, development partners, and private investors. It urged increased funding for pharmaceutical infrastructure and the implementation of policies that support innovation, capacity building, and local production.
