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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called for urgent and strategic investment in pharmacy education, warning that neglect could weaken Nigeria’s healthcare system and national security.
At the 2026 Pharmacy Colloquium in Yola, Adamawa State, stakeholders cautioned that continued reliance on imported drugs and rising brain drain pose serious risks without reforms in pharmacist training.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by deputy governor, Kaletapwa Farauta, announced approval for a College of Pharmacy at Adamawa State University, which was hailed as a major step toward boosting local capacity.
PSN President, Ayuba Ibrahim, urged governments to treat pharmacy education as a national priority, calling for full implementation of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programme and strengthening of postgraduate training institutions.
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He also advocated improved infrastructure, including enhanced SIWES and internship programmes, as well as expansion of the consultant pharmacist cadre to curb workforce migration.
The keynote speaker, Cyril Odianose Usifoh, called for a shift to competency-based training, incorporating innovation, critical thinking, and patient-centred care, alongside integration of artificial intelligence and digital health tools.
The PSN further highlighted Nigeria’s potential in phytomedicine, urging investment to commercialise indigenous medicinal plants.
Stakeholders noted that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act (2022) provides a framework for improved regulation and accountability.
Participants agreed that sustained investment in education, research, and local drug production is critical to achieving a self-sufficient healthcare system.
