The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to building a modern, globally competitive pharmaceutical workforce for Nigeria.
Speaking at the 98th Annual National Conference in Kano, themed “Defining a New Pharma Workforce for Nigeria,” Mr. Ibrahim said the PSN is determined to realign pharmacy education, professional structure, and regulation with global standards and the nation’s evolving healthcare needs.
Mr. Ibrahim highlighted what he described as “gentle but progressive strides” in regulatory reforms, welfare, and education during the 2024/2025 administrative year.
He restated the Society’s firm position that Nigeria’s pharmacy workforce should consist solely of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians—formally ending the controversial “Pharmacy Technologist” cadre.
Following a memorandum of understanding between the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Federal Ministry of Health, and the NBTE earlier in 2025, training of “Pharmacy Technologists” has now been discontinued nationwide.
In a major professional victory, the PSN and PCN recently won a Federal High Court ruling in Calabar reaffirming the PCN’s sole authority to regulate veterinary drugs.
The judgment, delivered on October 29, 2025, brought an end to the long-standing dispute with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN).
Addressing welfare issues, Mr. Ibrahim announced several gains secured through collaboration with JOHESU and AHPA, including the payment of 25–35% CONHESS salary arrears, 4% call-duty allowance for Pharm.D holders, inclusion of Pharm.D and Consultant Pharmacists in IPPIS payments, and a centralized internship placement system for young pharmacists.
He also confirmed the approval of a new retirement age—65 years for Pharmacists and 70 for Consultant Pharmacists.
Looking ahead, the PSN President emphasized plans to make the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) the minimum qualification for practice and to harmonize Ph.D. and Fellowship programmes to create flexible academic pathways for pharmacists.
He also proposed the establishment of a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy to complement the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists.
Mr. Ibrahim urged delegates at the DABO 2025 conference to take full advantage of both professional and social sessions.
“Let this conference pass through you as you pass through it,” he advised, encouraging participants to balance learning, networking, and relaxation for a truly fulfilling conference experience.
Reporting by Fabian Anawo