The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) has inducted 14 new Fellows and honoured six professionals for their contributions to health, research, and pharmaceutical practice in the country.

The ceremony took place in Lagos and also featured the presentation of four Lifetime Achievement Awards to senior pharmacists.

Founder and Chairman of Bond Chemical Industries Limited, Chief Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, former Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Pharm. (Dr) Mrs Stella Okoli, and the first Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, were among those honoured with the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award, which is regarded as the Academy’s highest professional recognition.

Six distinguished personalities were also conferred with Honorary Fellowship Awards for their exceptional contributions to the growth of the pharmaceutical profession and national development. The honourees are Pharm. Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Alhaji Sayyid Lawal Atana, Dr. Obiora Anthony Chukwuka, Pharm. Sir Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano (A.A. Rano), and Chief Varkey Verghese, MFR.

The event, themed Pharmaceutical Innovation: A Catalyst for National Development, brought together top figures in the health and finance sectors, including the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Mr Wale Oyedeji.

NAFDAC DG says drug import now 60 per cent
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines had dropped from 70 to 60 per cent, reflecting steady progress in local manufacturing and capacity building.

“When I joined in 2017, I met an agency with almost nothing. We had to retrain ourselves to document processes and work with standard operating procedures,” she said.

Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC’s “5plus5” policy has encouraged importers to establish local factories or partner with Nigerian manufacturers after a final import renewal period.

“Before now, we had none. Today, we have prequalified medical devices and two prequalified medicine producers, proof that God did not create us differently. We can do it,” she said.

She added that Nigeria is now the first country in Africa to sustain the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 certification. She also noted that local staff are being supported to combine work with postgraduate studies to strengthen research and development.

“Without academia, we cannot do research and development. Our staff now earn master’s and PhD degrees while serving full time. That is part of nation building,” she said.

FBN boss calls for collaboration
In his keynote address, Mr Wale Oyedeji said the pharmacy sector must embrace technology, research, and collaboration to drive innovation.

“Pharmaceutical innovation is many things. It is science, yes, but it is also business, governance and above all, nation building,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to work together, invest in research, and adopt digital solutions that would help Nigeria compete globally.

“With digital solutions and technology, we can leapfrog historical problems. If we collaborate properly and engage our diaspora, we can transform this sector,” he said.

Research, development key to progress — Ojo
Director of Programmes at the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Lolu Ojo, said research and development remain vital for the country’s growth and self-reliance in the pharmaceutical industry.

According to him, “Without research and development, we’d just be copying and moving, always lagging behind. So we need research and development to be able to have the knowledge to power us.”

He said the connection between industry and academia was improving, which would help researchers focus on impactful discoveries rather than just academic promotions.

“And I think we are making some progress. It may be little, but certainly the traction will come, and we’ll get better. Like we have heard from P.J. of Natural Science, there is a connection now that is being built between the industry and the academia,” he said.

He added that the Academy stands for thought and opinion leadership in all matters affecting pharmaceutical science and the pharmacy profession.

Academy vows to strengthen profession
President of the Academy, Pharm. Lere Baale, said the investiture reaffirmed the Academy’s goal of promoting excellence, ethics, and innovation in the health sector.

He said, “Public perception defines professional destiny. We are redefining pharmacy beyond the image of dispensing medicines to that of leadership in innovation, policy, and healthcare transformation.”

Baale added that the Academy had secured affiliation with the International Pharmaceutical Federation and continued to engage the government on better welfare and career development for pharmacists.

Secretary General, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, said the Academy would continue to recognise individuals and organisations advancing ethical practice and access to quality healthcare.

Honouring pharmacy icons
The event also featured a valedictory session for the late Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, CON, FPSN, FNAPharm, who was described as a pioneer of modern pharmacy education in Nigeria.

Baale said the late Akinkugbe’s life reflected the values of discipline, scholarship, and service that the Academy seeks to preserve among its members.

He noted that the newly inducted Fellows were expected to uphold professionalism and contribute to building a stronger healthcare system.