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Tinubu seeks stronger synergy with traditional rulers on security, development
President Bola Tinubu says the federal government remains committed to strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions to advance peace, security, national cohesion and sustainable development across the country.
Mr Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The minister, in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, conveyed the president’s message to traditional rulers and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria.
He said the Tinubu administration fully recognised the strategic role of traditional institutions and remained committed to deepening engagement with traditional rulers in advancing peace, security, national cohesion and development.
Mr Idris commended the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, for its contributions to peace, unity, security and development in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the meeting’s theme, “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” the minister described peace as the foundation for development and prosperity.
“Without peace, development becomes difficult; without unity, progress cannot be sustained. The pursuit of both must remain our collective responsibility,” he said.
Mr Idris said traditional rulers remained critical partners in governance and peacebuilding because of their close relationship with communities and their ability to mobilise citizens around important national objectives.
“Across generations, our traditional rulers have served as custodians of culture and values, mediators in times of conflict, and trusted bridges between government and the people.
“Your proximity to the grassroots and your moral authority make you indispensable partners in governance, peacebuilding and community mobilisation,” he said.
On security, the minister said the federal government had strengthened coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions, resulting in gains against criminal and terrorist groups in several parts of the country.
“While challenges remain, the administration is sustaining military operations, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.
“At the same time, we recognise that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security operations alone. We must also address poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and the lack of economic opportunities that often fuel insecurity.”
The minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at creating jobs, improving livelihoods and supporting long-term economic growth.
He listed the initiatives to include interventions in agriculture, livestock development, solid minerals, infrastructure, education financing, consumer credit and support for small businesses.
Mr Idris described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a landmark decision that would modernise livestock production, improve productivity, support pastoral and farming communities and reduce conflicts associated with competition for natural resources.
According to him, the ministry is a strategic intervention in a sector with significant potential for job creation, food security, export earnings and economic growth.
The minister also highlighted the gederal government’s four Legacy Highway Projects — the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Abuja Super Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road Corridor.
He said the projects would strengthen national integration, improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, expand access to markets and create jobs.
“These highways will improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, expand access to markets, create jobs, and support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods.
“Beyond their economic value, they are investments in national unity,” he said.
Mr Idris further said the Renewed Hope Agenda was creating opportunities for Nigerians through programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He emphasised that development programmes could only succeed when citizens understood them and actively participated in them.
According to him, traditional rulers have an important role to play in promoting public awareness and countering misinformation.
“In an age characterised by the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, traditional rulers remain among the most trusted leaders in our society.
“Your continued support in promoting truth, dialogue, tolerance, and responsible citizenship is essential to our collective progress,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence that the meeting would generate practical recommendations to strengthen peace, deepen unity and accelerate development across Northern Nigeria and the country.
He also conveyed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, the traditional institution and the family of the late retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar.
Mr Idris described the deceased as a distinguished patriot whose death was a tragic loss to the nation.
“We mourn the loss of a distinguished patriot who served Nigeria with honour and dedication. His death is a painful reminder of the urgent need to sustain our collective efforts against insecurity,” he said.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting peace, unity and development in Northern Nigeria.
Among those in attendance were Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Others were the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; the Emir of Hadejia, Adamu Abubakar Maje; the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, among others.
(NAN)
The Nigerian government said it has granted N24 billion in tax waivers to pharmaceutical manufacturers between 2025 and 2026 as part of efforts to increase local production of medicines and reduce dependence on imported healthcare products.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2026 Nigeria Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja.
Mr Pate said the incentives were introduced under the presidential executive order signed in 2024 to support domestic manufacturing of medicines, medical equipment and other essential healthcare products.
He also disclosed that the government had secured 12 technology-transfer agreements and was pursuing prospective investments exceeding $5 billion in the healthcare manufacturing sector.
According to him, the government is working to ensure that the proposed investments translate into operational businesses capable of producing affordable healthcare products and creating employment opportunities.
“The Executive Order signed by Mr President in 2024 has supported N24 billion in tax waivers for pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2025–2026,” he said.
“We have 12 technology-transfer agreements and a prospective investment pipeline exceeding $5 billion.”
Mr Pate said the government’s priority was to translate the prospective investments into actual manufacturing activities.
“Our task is to help those prospective investments become operating businesses that supply safe, effective and affordable products and create opportunities for Nigerians,” he said.
Expansion of local manufacturing
Mr Pate said 10 factories or manufacturing lines had been commissioned under the government’s healthcare industrialisation programme, including six in 2026.
He explained that the facilities cover the production of pharmaceuticals, rapid diagnostic tests, long-lasting insecticidal nets and medical oxygen.
The minister acknowledged the contribution of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), coordinated by Abdu Mukhtar, to the government’s efforts to expand domestic manufacturing.
Also speaking at the review, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, reported an increase in local pharmaceutical production.
Mr Salako said locally manufactured medicines accounted for 50 per cent of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market in 2026, compared with 30 per cent in 2023.
He said figures from the Pharmaceutical Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) also showed an approximately 10 per cent increase in the number of active local pharmaceutical companies.
He said the improvements reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported healthcare products.
Meanwhile, Mr Pate said NAFDAC was strengthening regulatory measures against falsified medicines to support the development of the pharmaceutical industry.
He also disclosed that the government was working to operationalise Medipool, a group purchasing organisation designed to consolidate demand for medicines and other healthcare commodities.
According to him, the initiative would help organise government procurement while allowing other supply channels to continue operating.
The arrangement is intended to create more predictable demand for healthcare products and support local manufacturers.
Background
Nigeria has been working to expand domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing amid concerns about dependence on imported medicines and disruptions to international supply chains.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed an executive order introducing fiscal incentives to encourage local production of medicines and other healthcare products.
The order provided relief from tariffs, excise duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) on specified pharmaceutical machinery, equipment and raw materials used in manufacturing.
In May 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the presidency had identified the executive order as one of the government’s major health sector reforms aimed at attracting investment and reducing the cost of pharmaceutical products.
The government said the incentives were designed to make local manufacturers more competitive and encourage increased production of essential healthcare products.
In September 2026, PREMIUM TIMES also reported that the federal government was targeting at least 70 per cent local production of essential healthcare products by 2030.
Speaking at the 8th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo in Lagos, Mr Salako said the government was using financing and tax incentives to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
He disclosed that 87 local manufacturers were benefiting from the presidential executive order granting zero tariffs on pharmaceutical machinery, active pharmaceutical ingredients and other production materials.
Mr Salako also said PVAC had secured about $2 billion in financing commitments at single-digit interest rates, with approximately 50 Nigerian healthcare companies in advanced discussions for funding.
He explained that increasing local production would help strengthen medicine security and reduce the country’s vulnerability to disruptions in international supply chains.
Sustaining local production
Despite the reported progress, Nigeria’s ambition to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing will depend on sustained investment, access to financing and the ability of manufacturers to produce medicines that meet required quality standards.
READ ALSO: Nigeria targets 90% functional health centres, 40% health insurance coverage by 2031
At the September 2026 pharmaceutical manufacturers’ expo, Mr Salako emphasised the importance of expanding production beyond finished medicines to include active pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health commodities.
He also identified research, innovation, regulatory cooperation and access to regional markets as important areas for developing the industry.
The 2026 Joint Annual Review, held under the theme “Make the Data Count”, brings together federal and state government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to assess progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The initiative is being implemented through the Sector-Wide Approach, which seeks to improve coordination, financing and accountability in healthcare delivery.
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Three members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, State Executive Committee and six local government chairmen have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Sokoto State.
The defectors were received into the APC by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Faruku Labbo, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Shehu Abdullahi Mai Rago said their decision to leave the PDP was influenced by Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s treatment of opposition members.
He said the governor had not intimidated or witch-hunted them despite their previous affiliation with the opposition party.
“The governor has never witch-hunted or intimidated any of us despite our previous political affiliation with the opposition party,” Mai Rago said.
He also cited government projects across the state as another reason for their decision to join the APC.
Among those listed as defectors are Aliyu Mai Shinkafa, PDP executive member in Binji LGA; Mohammed Yusuf, PDP chairman in Kware LGA; Altine Gudu, PDP chairman in Gudu LGA; Manir Tureta, PDP chairman in Tureta LGA; and Abubakar Ango Bodinga, PDP chairman in Bodinga LGA.
Others include Mu’awiyya Noma, PDP chairman in Tangaza LGA; Muntari Dan Dare, PDP chairman in Silame LGA; Bello Garba Iya, PDP secretary in Sabon Birni LGA; and Almustafa S. Tudu, PDP secretary in Tambuwal LGA.
Also listed are Balkisu Yusuf, PDP youth leader in Sokoto North LGA; Naja’atu Buhari, state PDP youth leader; Bilkisu Sidi, PDP women leader in Waziri B Ward; and Sadiya Umar, PDP Zawarawa women leader.
The statement also said members of the Amalgamated Association of ADC Traders, Youths and Students Stakeholders and executives of the ADC Tudun Wada Ward had defected to the APC.
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