The Ogun State government has reiterated its commitment to providing an enabling environment through improved infrastructure, security, and policies that promote ease of doing business.

The Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated this at the inauguration of a new pharmaceutical factory located on Ilo-Awela Road, Old Toll Gate, Ota, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

The factory, a division of Sam Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is expected to strengthen drug production and boost industrial development in the state.

Mrs Salako-Oyedele said the investment further reinforced the state’s position as Nigeria’s industrial hub.

She said the facility would stimulate the local economy through job creation and the expansion of business activities within the Ota industrial axis.

She described the facility as a strategic step toward enhancing local pharmaceutical production and reducing dependence on imported medicines.

“The facility is not only a win for the private sector in Ogun, but also a strategic asset for economic self-reliance.

“It will increase local production capacity, reduce dependence on expensive imported drugs, and help ensure medicine security for Nigerians,” she said.

The deputy governor said the investment demonstrated confidence in Ogun as a preferred destination for pharmaceutical and healthcare investments.

She added that the state government had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company to strengthen collaboration in the health sector.

According to her, the partnership will focus on promoting local production of essential medicines, improving warehousing and distribution systems, and ensuring a steady supply of health commodities across healthcare facilities in the state.

Mrs Salako-Oyedele also urged the company to maintain international best practices in safety and quality standards.

In his remarks, the chairman/chief executive officer of Sam Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Amit Bhojwani, said the new factory marked a major milestone for the company after more than five decades of operations in Nigeria.

Mr Bhojwani said the company, established 55 years ago, had built a reputation as a strong but quiet player in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

He added that the new facility would drive innovation and the production of modern pharmaceutical formulations tailored to the needs of the African market.

According to him, the plant was built in line with international specifications to ensure quality production.

Mr Bhojwani appreciated the federal government and the Ogun government for policies supporting growth in the healthcare sector.

He assured that the company would continue to uphold quality service delivery, a legacy it has maintained in Nigeria since its establishment in 1971. 

(NAN)