Business
Impact Project Will Inspire Quality in Local Manufacturing, Says Anyakora As Bloom Commences Capacity Building for Manufacturers By James Oyekunle
Impact Project Will Inspire Quality in Local Manufacturing, Says Anyakora As Bloom Commences Capacity Building for Manufacturers By James Oyekunle
In furtherance of its commitment towards repositioning the Nigerian pharma industry as an independent and significant player in the global space, Bloom Public Health in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the World Bank, has begun a 3-day training workshop tagged Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Improvement and Capacity Building.
The event, which is one in a series of programmes termed the “Impact Project”, holds from Tuesday June 20 to Thursday June 22, 2023 at The Colossus Hotel, Lagos, will feature lectures and presentations from experts in the relevant aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturing such as regulation, production and quality assurance and control.
Day One witnessed insightful presentations from facilitators. In his presentation titled “Trends in Global GMP Compliance”, Bloom Public Health’s Technical Director, Mr Hakeem Oshiyemi, enlightened participants on the core and cardinal components that ensure good manufacturing practice in the local manufacturing landscape. He enumerated strategies that minimize risks involved in pharmaceutical production and urged pharmaceutical manufactures to embrace best practices in order to compete globally.
During his presentation titled “Building Quality Culture in the Pharmaceutical Industry”, Dr Onyenoha Chukwumeriji, an international GMP/GDP/QA/QC consultant, highlighted the connection between quality culture and optimum performance in the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasized the significance and quality of a pharmaceutical company’s corporate culture to its image and level of success. He enumerated factors such as employee-employer relations, ergonomics and succession plan as some of the basics that can swing the pendulum of a pharmaceutical company’s growth either forward or backwards. He called on Chief Executives of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to imbibe such core values that instigate the pursuit of excellence and quality assurance, if they really want to remain relevant and competitive in the international marketplace.
Speaking earlier during his welcome address, CEO of Bloom Public Health, Prof. Chimezie Anyakora, said the workshop is aimed at supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria to improve their standards and quality control systems. Anyakora bemoaned the beggarly disposition of Nigeria in terms of the type of aid it gets from the international community.
According to him, instead of supporting with funds, most of the aids come in the form of medicines which may not have the desired impact, hence the need for the country to chart a new and nobler course towards its own independence in terms of manufacturing capacity. To this end, he said, relevant players in the Nigerian pharma space, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), NPRD, PMG-MAN and others are collaborating to make the attainment of this independence a reality.
“In summary, Impact Project is here to help Nigeria attain quality and start competing globally. Year in, year out, a lot of funding that gets to the country come as medicine aid not as monetary funding to Nigerian manufacturers. One way to discontinue this ugly trend is to build our people and change the beggarly narrative”, he said.
On how this project affects Nigeria’s global rating in terms medicines regulation, Anyakora said: “Once the regulator ups his game, it then means that the regulated must also push their game up. Right now, our regulator is at maturity level 3 (ML3). This means that what they would demand from manufacturers would be much more than what they used to demand. So, the manufacturer has to wake up. And I strongly believe that the Impact Project, beginning with this capacity building workshop, will be the stinging fly that would wake the slumbering giant of Africa from sleep unto continental and perhaps, global glory in pharma manufacturing.”
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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