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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will, on Thursday, mark a significant moment in its history as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) is set to induct its first cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) graduates.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof Chukwuemeka Nworu, made the disclosure in Nsukka, yesterday, while briefing journalists ahead of the induction and oath-taking ceremony scheduled to hold at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN.
He said the oath of professional allegiance will be administered by the Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, describing the ceremony as a landmark event for the Faculty.
“For decades, the Faculty has graduated students with the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree. This will be the first time we are inducting Doctor of Pharmacy graduates as a first professional degree,” he said.
He explained that the Pharm D programme was approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which directed universities to migrate from the five-year Bachelor of Pharmacy to the six-year Doctor of Pharmacy programme. The Pharm D curriculum, he noted, is more rigorous and clinically oriented.
Prof Nworu hinted that one of the advantages of the Pharm D qualification is its international alignment, as graduates seeking to practise in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany or Canada are better positioned academically, unlike holders of the former B.Pharm degree who often require additional conversion training.
He clarified, however, that the Doctor of Pharmacy remains a first professional degree, graduates may subsequently pursue postgraduate studies, including Master’s and PhD programmes, at their discretion.
Nworu, who was elected Dean of the Faculty in August 2024, outlined a series of reforms and infrastructural improvements undertaken under his administration.
He said that when he assumed office, the Faculty’s main complex housing laboratories, lecture rooms, and offices had no running water, making laboratory work particularly challenging.
“Today, we have drilled an industrial-scale borehole and reticulated water across our laboratories, offices, toilets, and classrooms in the building complex as well as extended supply to our old renovated buildings,” he said.
He added that replacing aging and damaged pipes was very costly, as many had been unused for years.
“The bole-hole now supplies water not only to the faculty, but to neighbouring faculties as well as to some members of the wider university community free of charge,” he said.
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He acknowledged the support of Pharm. A.C. Igwesiobi, an alumnus, and the University of Nigeria Pharmacists Alumni Association in North America for jointly funding the water project.
Other improvements include; the renovation of two old, fabricated buildings to provide additional office space for staff, installation of tiled floors, new doors and windows, block partitions repainting and landscaping of the faculty’s old buildings.
He said internet connectivity has been installed across the faculty, with staff and students enjoying free access.
The Dean also disclosed that the Faculty has upgraded its Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centre with over 120 additional laptops worth several millions of naira, largely sponsored through alumni support.
“Now, we have a students’ record Database Management Portal introduced to replace the former manual and handwritten result system, enabling easier tracking of students’ records and easier storage and retrieval of academic records,” he said.
Professor Nworu expressed appreciation to staff, students, parents, and alumni for their maximum support.
“The progress we are witnessing is a collective effort, the support from our alumni has been invaluable,” the Dean noted.
On internal matters, the Dean confirmed that a legal dispute concerning the ownership and management of the University Model Pharmacy is currently before the court. The case involves one member of staff, supported by another colleague on one side, and the Faculty, the Dean, and five professors on the other side.
He called on the university management to intervene and facilitate an amicable resolution that will urge all parties to prioritise the unity of the Faculty.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I hope that we resolve our differences and move forward together.
“The induction of the pioneer Pharm D graduates signals a new phase for the Faculty, aligning its training with contemporary standards in pharmacy education and practice,” he said
The Dean expressed his sincere appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, for his leadership and steadfast support, which have made the forthcoming induction ceremony possible.
“I also commended my academic and professional colleagues for their dedication, sacrifice, and commitment in training and shaping the young Doctors of Pharmacy, which will be celebrated on the February 26 induction/Oath-taking ceremony” he added.
