LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy’s 2025 Investiture and Public Lecture drew strong endorsements from government officials and health sector leaders, who backed the Academy’s call for closer collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry players to drive pharmaceutical innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the event, themed “Pharmaceutical Innovation and Nation Building,” Academy President Prof. Lere Baale emphasized the urgency of building self-reliance in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. “Pharmaceutical innovation is not just science; it is governance, business, and above all, nation building,” Baale said.
Representing the federal government, Minister of Health Dr. Tunji Alausa commended the Academy’s initiative and pledged stronger policy support for local drug manufacturing. “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for pharmaceutical innovation. This includes regulatory reforms, funding mechanisms, and public-private partnerships,” Alausa said.
He added that the ministry is working with agencies like NAFDAC and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to streamline approval processes and incentivize domestic production.
NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye highlighted recent achievements in regulatory reform, noting that Nigeria now has two WHO-prequalified medicine manufacturers and its first WHO-prequalified medical device company. “We’ve strengthened academia-industry partnerships and invested in staff development to ensure our regulatory workforce is research-driven,” she said.
Adeyeye also emphasized the importance of collaboration with universities such as the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, to advance pharmaceutical research.
FBN Holdings Group Managing Director Wale Oyedeji, who delivered the keynote address, called for bold investment in research and development. “We must challenge practitioners to devote more than 0.2 percent to R&D. India looked inward and transformed its healthcare system. Nigeria can do even better,” he said.
Oyedeji warned that continued dependence on imported medicines and low research funding threaten the country’s pharmaceutical growth and health security.
Dr. Amina Bello, President of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria, urged the government to treat health as a productive investment. “We need to rethink healthcare financing. Innovation in pharmacy is not just about science—it’s about unlocking economic potential,” she said.
The event also honored the late Pharm. Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, a pioneer of pharmacy education in Nigeria. Fourteen new Fellows were inducted, and six professionals received honorary recognition. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Chief Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, Pharm. Stella Okoli, and Prof. Gabriel Osuide.
Honorary Fellowship recipients included Pharm. Ebenezer Adeleke, Sayyid Atana, Dr. Obiora Chukwuka, Pharm. Alfred Osinoiki, Auwalu Rano, and Varkey Verghese for their contributions to pharmaceutical practice and national development.
