Biting Back At Imports: FCT Minister’s Call For Homegrown Dental Materials Sparks Industry Debate
Dr. Nafisat Makinde
ABUJA, August 8, 2025
In a country where the majority of dental materials — from fillings to dentures — are imported at high cost, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has thrown down the gauntlet: Nigeria must break free from its dependence on foreign dental products and build its own manufacturing base.
Speaking at the inaugural summit of the Dental Technologists Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN) in Abuja, Dr. Mahmoud warned that the nation’s over-reliance on imports is not just an economic strain but also a healthcare vulnerability.
“Every time the naira falls, every time there’s a shipping delay, our dental patients pay the price,” she told the gathering of dental experts, technologists, and policymakers. “We have the talent, the resources, and the brains in this country to produce our own dental materials. What we need is the will to make it happen.”
The Minister’s remarks struck a chord at a time when global supply chain disruptions and currency fluctuations have driven up the cost of healthcare consumables in Nigeria. Industry insiders say some dental clinics have had to postpone treatments or use inferior alternatives when imports were delayed.
Dr. Mahmoud challenged dental technologists — the professionals behind crowns, bridges, dentures, and other crucial restorations — to lead an innovation drive that would put Nigeria on the map as a hub for quality, affordable dental products. She urged them to leverage advances in digitization and artificial intelligence to standardize training, improve precision, and compete on a global scale.
DTRBN Registrar, Malam Idris Bappah, described the summit as “timely and urgent,” noting that without deliberate action, Nigeria risks a worsening shortage of skilled dental technologists and an even greater dependence on imported products.
The event also honored outstanding contributors to the growth of dental technology in Nigeria, underscoring the potential for homegrown excellence if given the right support.
In the broader context, the Minister’s call aligns with the federal government’s industrialization agenda and push for medical self-reliance — a movement that spans from pharmaceuticals to medical equipment. If acted upon, it could mean that in the near future, the tools used to restore a Nigerian smile will be designed, manufactured, and perfected right here at home, turning the nation’s dental health sector into both a source of pride and an engine for economic growth.