“The abyss of unemployment…” reactions as Africa’s largest syringe company leaves Nigeria

BUSINESS DAY

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing’s (JSM) inauguration in 2017 had been a triumphant occasion. With gleaming machinery and ambitious plans to produce a large quantity of syringes annually, it promised to break Africa’s dependence on imported medical supplies.

The venture, backed by local and international investors, was seen as a symbol of progress, a giant leap towards healthcare autonomy for a continent long plagued by medical vulnerability.

However, the manufacturing stopped its production many months ago, and a memo addressed to all the workers of the company that its operations had ended, as reported by Businessday on Wednesday.

The factory’s demise has sparked a complex conversation. On social media platform X, citizen reactions to BusinessDay’s post unveiled a range of sentiments.

@Blezybest expressed concerns: “Oh, it’s the biggest in the whole of Africa. Do you know what that means? Just be praying to God that you don’t fall sick. Even Malaria treatment could cost you the amount you can never imagine.”.

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