Renowned pharmaceutical scientist and scholar, Professor Adeboye Adejare, has been honoured by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) with the National Diaspora Merit Award.
The award recognises Adejare’s selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian in the diaspora, particularly in the fields of medicine and healthcare.
At the presentation ceremony, which took place on 25-26 July 2024, Adejare, along with other distinguished individuals from various fields, was celebrated for his “unflinching love and contributions” to national development.
In his keynote address, Engr (Dr) Sule Yakubu Bassi, secretary of NiDCOM, highlighted that the National Diaspora Merit Award is part of an ongoing initiative to honour Nigerians in the diaspora who excel in their respective fields.
Professor Adejare, who earned his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1985 and conducted postdoctoral studies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, is currently a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) of Saint Joseph’s University. PCP, the first school of pharmacy in North America, is a key player in pharmaceutical education and industry.
His research, which has received funding from the NIH, the Office of Naval Research, state agencies, and several pharmaceutical companies, has resulted in over 60 publications, five patents, and more than 110 presentations at conferences. Adejare has also served on several national panels, including grant review panels for the NIH, the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the Veterans Administration, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
As the editor-in-chief of “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy,” widely regarded as a leading global textbook in pharmacy education, and the editor of “Drug Discovery Approaches for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease,” Adejare has made significant contributions to understanding neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, and to cancer research. Many of his former students are now prominent figures in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
Beyond his success in the United States, Professor Adejare has been instrumental in advancing research and healthcare in Nigeria. He was selected twice for the prestigious Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (CADF), first in 2014 at the University of Ibadan and later in 2018 at the University of Lagos. During these fellowships, he collaborated with faculty and students to enhance research efforts, significantly impacting academic development in the country.
His commitment to Nigeria extends to the practice of pharmacy, where he has played a pivotal role. In May 2023, he hosted the leadership of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy for a one-week study tour, providing them access to world-class facilities and expertise. This initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact on the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Adejare’s contributions to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry include his role as a resource person for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). His involvement is anticipated to have a significant positive effect on the global availability of pharmaceuticals produced in Nigeria.
In addition to the NiDCOM Merit Award, Adejare has received numerous other accolades, including The Ohio State University’s Jack Beal Award (2022) and the Igbobi College, Yaba Lagos, Nigeria, Old Boys Association’s Award of Merit (2017).
