A formal partnership, ELM-N (Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria), has been established by the Nigerian government, the European Union, and UNICEF to boost local production of health, immunisation, and nutrition commodities.

ELM-N is part of the EU Global Gateway Manufacturing and MAV+ Initiative, aiming to strengthen supply chains and increase access to safe, affordable health products to bolster Nigeria’s self-reliance in health production.

The new agreement, signed in Abuja, envisions Nigeria becoming a regional hub for local health manufacturing through technology transfer, financing for facilities, and expanded production capacity.

Bagudu described the agreement as a milestone, outlining commitments to technology transfer, facility financing, and increased local production to position Nigeria as a regional health-innovation hub.

EU and Spain underscored MAV+ framework investments to mobilize financial and non-financial support for manufacturers, governments, and academic institutions involved in local health manufacturing.

Spain, through Artieda, highlighted equitable access to locally produced health commodities across the ECOWAS region.

The signing took place during the Nigeria-EU Health Investment Forum, signaling a strengthened Nigeria-EU partnership and a broader commitment to health security and regional healthcare resilience.

The initiative reflects coordinated support from Nigeria, the EU, Spain, and UNICEF to strengthen health security and healthcare value chains in Nigeria and the ECOWAS area.

At the signing ceremony, speakers included Nigeria’s Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Spain’s Ambassador Félix Costales Artieda, and UNICEF representative Wafaa Abdelate (via UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall).

Ambassadors and officials emphasized a shift from aid dependency to sustainable, peer-to-peer investment and strategic collaboration to support West Africa’s health sector development.

They framed the partnership as a regional effort to improve access to affordable, safe health products across Nigeria and neighboring West African markets.

Officials highlighted policy alignment, fiscal discipline, and measurable outcomes, with emphasis on strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and health value chain.