Maydon’s roots trace back to 1986, when Chief Donatus Dunu—having completed an apprenticeship under his elder brother in the carpet business—made a bold decision to enter a vastly different field: pharmaceuticals. At the time, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape was still in its infancy. High-quality medicines were scarce, and many of the life-saving drugs we now take for granted, like artemether-lumefantrine, weren’t yet available. Sensing both a profound need and a business opportunity, Chief Dunu launched Mayfield Pharmaceuticals with a simple but powerful mission: to supply essential, high-quality medicines that people could actually afford.
The name Mayfield was a personal tribute—“May” for his birth month and “field” symbolizing a place of growth and potential. From a modest shop in Idumota, Lagos, Mayfield began with unbranded generics and quickly earned a reputation for quality and consistency. The company’s first major breakthrough came with the import and distribution of penicillin—a revolutionary product at the time—which catalyzed a wave of successful deals that transformed both Chief Dunu’s business and the lives of those who depended on his medicines.
Early operations weren’t easy. Without internet access, sourcing quality products meant constant overseas travel and meticulous vetting of manufacturing partners to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s evolving GMP and NAFDAC standards. Yet, Chief Dunu’s tenacity paid off. Mayfield became a trusted pioneer in the local shift from traditional medicine to more effective, accessible pharmaceutical care, especially for underserved hospitals and clinics.
By 2006, with a growing workforce and an expanding product line, the company moved to a larger, purpose-built facility in Ilupeju, Lagos. Alongside the move came a new name—Maydon, combining “May” with “Don” from Donatus—to reflect a new era of growth. Though the name changed, the mission stayed the same: to make reliable, affordable medicines available to every segment of society.
From humble beginnings to nationwide recognition, Maydon’s story is one of foresight, resilience, and a deep-seated desire to improve lives through better access to healthcare.