Stella Okoli’s N35 Billion Pharmaceutical Facility Marks New Chapter in Nigeria’s Industrial Growth, Soludo Reacts

 

Dr. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, the visionary founder and Group Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, is once again making headlines—this time with the launch of a groundbreaking N35 billion Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing facility in Sagamu, Ogun State. The development signals a giant leap forward in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical independence and reinforces Okoli’s reputation as a transformative force in the country’s industrial landscape.

With the Sagamu plant, Dr. Okoli aims to address a long-standing challenge that has burdened the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry: dependence on imported active ingredients. The state-of-the-art API facility is designed to supply vital raw materials for drug production locally, drastically reducing the country’s reliance on foreign imports. This strategic move is expected to not only bolster national health security but also stimulate industrial innovation and economic growth by creating jobs and expanding the domestic manufacturing base.

A native of Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr. Okoli draws her strength and business acumen from the industrious heritage of her hometown, often dubbed the “Japan of Africa” due to its rich history of manufacturing excellence. Her journey from operating a modest wholesale pharmacy to leading one of Africa’s most respected pharmaceutical brands is emblematic of the resilience and innovation that define Nnewi's entrepreneurial spirit.

Even at the age of 81, Dr. Okoli shows no signs of slowing down. Her commitment to solving national problems through entrepreneurship has defied both age and convention. While many of her contemporaries have taken a step back from active leadership, she continues to push forward with projects that blend vision, patriotism, and a clear understanding of Nigeria’s economic needs. The new facility in Ogun State serves as a powerful testament to her belief in local capacity and homegrown solutions, challenging the narrative that systemic challenges must hinder progress.

The impact of the facility is expected to be far-reaching. Beyond pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, it aims to inspire a new generation of innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs to look inward for solutions. It also brings a renewed focus to Nigeria’s potential to lead in key industries across the African continent.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has publicly commended Dr. Okoli for her accomplishments, emphasizing the significance of her contributions to both the pharmaceutical sector and the image of Anambra as a center of innovation. In his words, “Once again, our own daughter, proud daughter of Anambra State, has achieved another feat. She has once again proved her worth—the very entrepreneurial spirit for which Anambra, and Nnewi people in particular, are known. We say congratulations to her.”

Governor Soludo, speaking through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, also extended an open invitation for Dr. Okoli to invest further in her home state. He highlighted the opportunities available in the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC), a strategic initiative developed to foster industrial growth and provide the necessary infrastructure for businesses to flourish.

Stretching across Ogboji, Akpu, Ufuma, and Ekwulobia, AMIC is envisioned as a hub for industries of all sizes, offering critical infrastructure like power, gas pipelines, and accessible road networks in a centralized location. The governor emphasized that Dr. Okoli has ample space in AMIC to build a facility that could exceed the scale of the Sagamu plant. “She should extend an olive branch to her state; we deserve it,” he asserted.

Despite perceptions that Emzor has focused its expansion efforts outside Anambra, a close relative of Dr. Okoli has come forward to clarify the situation. Speaking anonymously to Legit.ng, the 66-year-old family member stressed that the pharmaceutical mogul has not neglected her roots. According to him, Emzor is actively involved in developing the Anambra Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Park in the Ogboji area of Orumba, Anambra State.

“Yes, I acknowledge the fact that Emzor has its head office in Lagos, specifically in the Isolo industrial area. Mrs. Okoli has not forgotten Anambra where she comes from. You may not know that Mrs. Okoli and Emzor are involved in developing the Anambra Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Park,” he said.

The revelation serves to correct the narrative and affirm Dr. Okoli’s continuous engagement with Anambra’s economic growth. It also hints at the possibility of broader investment in the state’s industrial future, especially with the infrastructure blueprint already laid out in AMIC.

Dr. Okoli’s story is more than one of personal success—it is a lesson in purposeful leadership, a reminder of the potential that lies within Nigeria, and a call to action for business leaders to invest not just for profit but for national progress. Her efforts embody a vision of self-reliance, resilience, and reinvention—an enduring legacy that transcends borders and generations.