NAFDAC considers Indigenous Pharma Tech as Symmex unveils Huraflow-MES

Nigeria may be on the brink of a major shift in pharmaceutical manufacturing regulation and innovation, following the demonstration of an indigenous technology platform, Huraflow-MES, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Olumide Awoyemi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Symmex Smart Workings Limited, presented the system on Friday at NAFDAC’s operational office in Isolo, Lagos, where he spoke with newsmen after the demonstration.

Awoyemi said the project represents Nigeria’s first indigenous, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant Manufacturing Execution System, designed to address long-standing inefficiencies in the country’s pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.

He explained that his journey from pharmacy into entrepreneurship exposed deep structural gaps within factory operations, particularly the continued reliance on manual and paper-based systems.

“While sectors like banking have undergone extensive digital transformation, manufacturing, especially indigenous manufacturing, has remained largely manual,” Awoyemi said, adding that “This creates inefficiencies, increases operational pressure, and limits the ability of companies to scale effectively.”

According to him, Huraflow-MES was developed to automate and digitise batch production processes across industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

He stated that the platform integrates key factory operations, enabling real-time data capture, traceability, and compliance with regulatory standards.

“With this system, processes that previously took days, such as tracing defective batches, can now be completed within hours. You can track raw materials, personnel, and production steps instantly,” he added.

Awoyemi noted that beyond improving internal efficiency, the solution also strengthens regulatory oversight by allowing agencies like NAFDAC to access compliance data remotely.

He said this capability would help address manpower and resource constraints, enabling regulators to focus inspections on high-risk areas rather than spending days reviewing physical documentation on-site.

The Symmex CEO disclosed that the platform is currently under consideration for formal regulatory observation by NAFDAC as part of a proposed bilateral programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.

He described the invitation by NAFDAC as a significant step towards building the country’s first domestic regulatory framework for digital pharmaceutical manufacturing systems.

“Africa currently has no national medicines regulatory authority with a formal framework for pharmaceutical Manufacturing Execution Systems. Nigeria now has the opportunity to lead,” Awoyemi stated.

He further revealed that Huraflow-MES is part of a broader, vertically integrated technology ecosystem developed by Symmex, covering the entire pharmaceutical value chain-from drug development to production, environmental monitoring, and commercial operations.

The system includes AI-powered drug formulation tools, real-time environmental sensing platforms, and customer relationship management solutions tailored to the pharmaceutical industry.

Awoyemi said the company had begun industry engagement through awareness campaigns and live demonstrations, stressing that its approach was not merely to sell a product but to drive sector-wide transformation.

“We are showing manufacturers how this solution aligns with their operations and improves efficiency. It’s about enabling adoption and building capacity,” he said.

He added that the long-term goal is to modernise pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria and across Africa, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to accelerate innovation, reduce development timelines, and adapt production to local conditions such as climate and storage realities.