The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has tasked the Federal and State governments in Nigeria to prioritise sustained and strategic investment in pharmaceutical education.
PSN gave the task at the 2026 Pharmacy Colloquium held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola, Adamawa State.
According to PSN, pharmaceutical education stands as a critical pillar for national security and the achievement of healthcare self-sufficiency, adding that Nigeria’s healthcare aspirations will remain elusive without a modern, well-funded, and forward-looking pharmaceutical education system.
Declaring the colloquium open, Gov Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa tate, expressed strong government backing for the initiative.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, the governor approved the establishment of a College of Pharmacy at Adamawa State University, Mubi.
Speaking, the President and Chairman of Council of the PSN, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, stressed that pharmacy education must be repositioned beyond an academic endeavor to a strategic national investment.
Pharm Ibrahim noted that advancing the transition to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programme, alongside strengthening institutions such as the National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy, would produce a highly skilled workforce capable of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.
The President and Chairman of Council of PSN emphasised the need to reinforce infrastructure supporting the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and internship programmes.
He called for the protection and expansion of the Consultant Pharmacist cadre as a key measure to curb the persistent brain drain affecting the sector.
In his keynote address, Pharm. (Prof.) Cyril Odianose Usifoh, while identifying a disconnect between academic qualifications and healthcare outcomes, advocated for a shift towards competency-based training that emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and patient-centered care.
Prof Usifoh also called for the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital health systems, into pharmacy education
In a communique at the end of the
colloquium, participants unanimously reiterated that building a globally competitive pharmaceutical sector depends on sustained investment in education, research, and local capacity development.
It warned that without deliberate funding for specialized training and domestic drug manufacturing, Nigeria’s health security will remain at risk.
