Pharmacy academy advocates stronger researcher-policy for national development
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has called for closer collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry players to strengthen pharmaceutical innovation and accelerate national development at its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Valedictory Session in honour of Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, and the Investiture Ceremony for new Fellows, held between Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba.
The event brought together pharmacists, academics, regulators, and policymakers from across Nigeria and the global pharmaceutical community to explore strategies to drive economic diversification, job creation, and national progress for transforming Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
Speaking during the Academy’s 2025 Investiture and Public Lecture themed ‘Pharmaceutical Innovation and Nation Building’, in Lagos, its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Lere Baale, said the nation must prioritise self-reliance in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing to safeguard its health security.
Baale, who also serves as President of the Nigerian School of Pharmacy and CU Business School in the Netherlands, mirrored on the challenges of marketing pharmaceutical products in Nigeria and the lessons learnt from other countries.
“When the goods came into Nigeria, I found myself going to places like Ajegunlé, trying to sell the products. Now I know better,” he said. “Around the world, things are changing. India is a pharmacy to the world, and Rwanda is building its own. Nigeria must change, too.
“We need to reduce dependence. We must be independent. Many elites, many of the people – we must be brave enough to help the country,” Baale said. “Pharmaceutical innovation is not just science; it is governance, business, and above all, nation building,” he added.
Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyemi, affirmed that the ongoing regulatory reform is enhancing the quality and competitiveness of locally manufactured medicines.
“Under our leadership, Nigeria now has two WHO-prequalified medicine manufacturers and the first WHO-prequalified medical device company,” Adeyeye said. “Without academia, we cannot do research and development. Our staff now earn master’s and PhD degrees while serving full-time; that’s part of nation building.”
According to her, NAFDAC had strengthened partnerships between universities and the private sector through collaborations with institutions such as the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, to boost pharmaceutical research and innovation.
In his keynote address, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Mr Wale Oyedeji, described innovation and collaboration as vital to repositioning Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, adding that “Pharmaceutical innovation is many things – science, yes, but also business, governance, and nation building.”
“We must challenge practitioners to devote more than 0.2 per cent to R&D, focusing on what we have locally. India looked within and transformed its healthcare system. We can do even better,” Oyedeji added.
Oyedeji lamented that Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines, low research investment, and persistent brain drain has continued to weaken the country’s pharmaceutical growth.
The event also featured a valedictory session in honour of the late Pharm. Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, who was celebrated as a pioneer of modern pharmacy education in Nigeria.
Baale said Akinkugbe’s life exemplified the values of discipline, scholarship, and service that the academy seeks to uphold.
“The newly inducted Fellows are expected to uphold professionalism and contribute to building a stronger healthcare system,” Baale added.
During the ceremony, 14 new Fellows were inducted, while six professionals received honorary recognition for their contributions to health, research, and pharmaceutical practice.
The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include:
Pharm. Dr Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Adenike Olubisi Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi; Pharm. Dr Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty; Pharm. Dr Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; Pharm. Dr Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.
The four Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The three Lifetime Achievements Awardees were: Pharm Prof Gabriel Osuide, Pharm Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr Fidelis Ayebae.
The event witnessed an assemblage of distinguished personalities from academia, industry, and government, including:
- Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, FPSN, Founding President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy;
- Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC;
- Pharm. Sir Ike Onyechi, FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm;
- Pharm. (Chief) Olubunmi Olaopa, FPSN;
- Pharm. Prof. Fola Tayo, MFR, FPSN
- Pharm. Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, OFR, FPSN;
- and other eminent Fellows and guests.
The event featured inspiring speeches, awards, and musical.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Baale stated: “Pharmacy holds the power to shape the future of Nigeria’s healthcare, innovation, and industrial growth. When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are not just advancing science — we are securing our nation’s health, economy, and dignity.”