The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has called on federal and state governments to prioritize strategic investment in pharmaceutical education, warning that Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot achieve self-sufficiency without a well-funded and modern training framework.
The call formed the highlight of deliberations at the 2026 Pharmacy Colloquium held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yola, where stakeholders stressed that strengthening pharmacy education is essential to achieving national health security.
Declaring the colloquium open, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, announced the approval for the establishment of a College of Pharmacy at Adamawa State University, a move widely seen as a significant step toward boosting local capacity in pharmaceutical training.
Leading the advocacy, PSN President, Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, said pharmacy education must be repositioned as a strategic national investment rather than a purely academic pursuit.
He emphasized the need to advance the transition to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programme and strengthen institutions such as the National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy to produce highly skilled professionals and reduce reliance on imported medicines.
He also called for improved funding of internship programmes and the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), alongside the protection and expansion of the Consultant Pharmacist cadre to address the growing challenge of brain drain in the sector.
In his keynote address, former PSN President, Cyril Odianose Usifoh, highlighted a disconnect between academic qualifications and healthcare outcomes, advocating a shift to competency-based training that prioritizes innovation, critical thinking, and patient-centered care.
He further urged the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital health systems into pharmacy education.
The Society also pushed for government investment in infrastructure to harness Nigeria’s biodiversity for phytomedicine development, positioning indigenous medicinal plants as viable therapeutic solutions and drivers of economic growth.
Stakeholders noted that these recommendations align with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act 2022, which provides a strengthened regulatory framework for the profession.
Former PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, added that the Act enhances accountability and reinforces oversight in the sector.
The colloquium attracted top government officials and industry leaders, including the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley; Commissioner for Health, Felix Tangwami; and other key stakeholders, alongside international experts and resource persons.
Participants at the event unanimously agreed that Nigeria’s ability to build a globally competitive pharmaceutical sector depends on sustained investment in education, research, and local drug manufacturing capacity.
The Society warned that without deliberate funding for specialized training and domestic production, the country’s health security will remain vulnerable, urging policymakers to act decisively.
“The future of pharmacy in Nigeria depends not only on knowledge, but on our collective commitment to reform, innovation, and leadership,” the communiqué stated.
Reporting By Niran Odufayo