The Federal Government has commissioned a Joint Task Team of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related offences to improve preventive health  and safeguard Nigeria’s investments in the health sector.

The Joint Task Team was primarily set up to conduct assessments of each quarterly disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) with the BHCPF secretariat serving as its secretariat.

The team is headed by the Director of Hospital Services, representing the ministry, and a Director of the ICPC, with membership drawn from relevant supervising offices and departments.

Speaking at the occasion, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasised the mission of the team, which  seeks to make a change from responding to wrongdoing after it occurs to identifying vulnerabilities early, closing regulatory gaps and strengthening systems before public resources are lost.

He also explained the importance of the Joint Task Team, stating that its role is to identify institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening preventive controls and improving oversite across the health sector.

The minister further disclosed that  the Federal Government has deployed 774 performance and financial management officers across various local government areas to independently verify the receipt and utilization of funds.

The initiative is part of efforts to improve transparency and ensure that funds allocated to strengthen primary healthcare is utilized properly and properly accounted for, and used for its intended purpose.

According to Prof. Pate, “Every naira invested in our health system carries an obligation: to reach the facility, the health worker, and the Nigerian whose life depends on it. When those resources are diverted, the cost is not abstract. It is a medicine that never arrives, equipment that is unavailable when needed, or a service that falls short. In this sector, corruption can cost lives.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, said the consequences of corruption in health sector extends beyond financial losses, as the misuse of resources may affect maternal or infant mortality, immunization rates, preventable diseases and access to affordable healthcare.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, stated the importance of protecting health-sector, highlighting that it would save lives, reduce physical and financial pain of ill-health, and produce health for all Nigerians.

Prof. Pate restates government’s  commitment to ensuring that every investment in health is protected, properly utilised and translated into better health outcomes for Nigerians.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) 5+5 policy is driving increased investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, with companies that previously relied heavily on imported medicines now establishing production facilities or exploring contract manufacturing arrangements in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), Pharm. Frank Mounemeh, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline, ahead of the Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo.

He said the policy had demonstrated the transformative power of well-designed government intervention in strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, while commending the Director-General of NAFDAC for maintaining a firm position on its implementation.

He stressed that developing a policy was only one part of the process, while faithful implementation was equally important.

The 5+5 policy requires companies holding market authorisations for products that can be manufactured locally to either establish manufacturing capacity in Nigeria or demonstrate arrangements for contract manufacturing within the country.

The policy, he said, had begun to change the behaviour of companies operating in the Nigerian pharmaceutical market, with firms that had held market authorisations for many years now establishing manufacturing facilities locally. Existing manufacturers are also positioning their facilities to undertake contract manufacturing for companies that hold market authorisations but can no longer simply rely on importing the products.

Describing the development as a practical demonstration of how effective government policy could stimulate investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, Muonemeh said, “When people ask me what government should prioritise, whether it is access to finance or policy, I always say that with the right policy, everything will fall into place.”

He added that the 5+5 policy had created an environment in which companies were compelled to align their business strategies with the government’s objective of increasing local production. “With the right policy, people are not even asking about funding. They have no choice but to align, look for the funds and get it done,” he said.

The pharmaceutical industry, he noted, was undergoing a transition towards greater self-sufficiency, with local manufacturers increasingly producing medicines and pharmaceutical products that were previously imported. He cited the growth in local production of beta-lactam medicines as an example, saying Nigeria now has close to 10 beta-lactam manufacturing facilities.

The development, he explained, was partly linked to gaps created by the exit of some multinational pharmaceutical companies from the Nigerian market. Although their departure created challenges, it also opened opportunities for local manufacturers to produce medicines previously supplied by the companies.

“With the exit, companies now started focusing on that gap,” he said, adding that the development had encouraged local manufacturers to produce essential medicines that might otherwise have remained dependent on imports.

The industry is also beginning to explore more sophisticated areas of production, including molecules that local manufacturers would not have considered producing a decade ago, as well as opportunities in biosimilar products. However, the broader success of local pharmaceutical manufacturing, he stressed, would depend on consistency in government policies and effective implementation.

He cited the presidential executive order introduced to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing as another potentially impactful policy whose benefits could be weakened by implementation challenges.

Manufacturers, he explained, have experienced difficulties arising from inconsistencies in customs and trade platforms, sometimes resulting in companies paying charges they were not supposed to pay.

“These are all things that add to the cost of production,” he said. Port congestion, delays in clearing pharmaceutical inputs and high energy costs were also identified as significant challenges confronting manufacturers.

He disclosed that energy,  accounts for as much as 40 per cent of production costs, compared with significantly lower costs in countries such as India and China. “All these costs add up to the product that comes out of a factory because, trust me, who is going to pay for that cost is the patient,” he added.

He therefore called for greater policy consistency and faithful implementation of government interventions aimed at supporting local pharmaceutical production. “A policy can be well thought out, well written in black and white, but then execution is flawed,” he said, arguing that effective implementation was critical to translating government policies into tangible benefits for manufacturers and patients.

He also called for the extension of the presidential executive order by another two years to allow the relevant policies and implementation mechanisms to stabilise, saying a predictable policy environment would give manufacturers greater confidence to invest in production facilities and expand local capacity.

The PMG-MAN executive secretary said the industry was also looking beyond Nigeria, with regional manufacturing and pharmaceutical sovereignty becoming increasingly important. Strengthening local manufacturing, he explained, was the foundation for expanding Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing footprint across West Africa and the wider African market.

The forthcoming Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo, he added, would provide a platform for manufacturers, regulators, investors and other stakeholders to examine opportunities for strengthening local and regional pharmaceutical production, while showcasing technologies and inputs required for local manufacturing.

He stressed that Nigeria’s long-term objective should be to move beyond importing finished pharmaceutical products and take greater ownership of the entire pharmaceutical value chain. Effective government policies, increased local investment and stronger manufacturing capacity, he maintained, would be critical to achieving medicine security and improving access to safe, quality and affordable medicines in Nigeria.

The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has extended digital civil registration services to about 4,000 of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards, with plans to establish 8,000 registration centres nationwide.

The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Yusuf, disclosed this in Abuja at a media conference to commemorate the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day.

The theme is “New CRVS Decade (2026–2036): Consolidating the Gains of Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement (APAI-CRVS) and Securing the Future of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Africa through Integration, Decentralisation and Digitalisation”.

Yusuf said the expansion was aimed at decentralising civil registration and making birth and death registration more accessible, especially at the community level.

He said the commission had established more than 4,000 functional registration centres across the 774 Local Government Areas.

“Combined with the nationwide deployment of the VitalReg platform, this expansion will bring registration services much closer to communities,” Yusuf said.

He said Nigeria inaugurated its nationwide fully digital CRVS system on the VitalReg platform on July 1, ending the manual registration system.

“Digitalisation enables the timely production and dissemination of vital statistics,” he said.

Yusuf said more than five million children were born annually in Nigeria, while significant gaps remained in the registration of births and deaths.

He said the commission was collaborating with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), UNICEF and Bankforte Technologies Ltd. to address the gaps.

He added that the commission was working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state governments and health institutions to integrate birth registration into routine health services.

Mrs Adaku Obodo, head, Birth and Death Registration at NPC, said integration with NIMC was helping to prevent duplication of identities.

She said once a child was registered, a unique number was generated and linked with the mother’s identity before a National Identification Number (NIN) was issued.

Obodo said the system would detect existing records and prevent multiple registration of a child.

She said birth registration had also been integrated into routine immunisation services in government hospitals, with trained nurses assisting with the process.

At the community level, she said ward registrars were working with traditional rulers, opinion leaders and other local structures to identify and document vital events.

Obodo said the commission had trained about 4,000 ALGON registrars to conduct birth registration, with efforts continuing to cover remaining areas.

She said the commission was developing a community birth alert system with support from UNICEF to enable community structures to notify registrars whenever a birth occurred outside a health facility.

“This is to ensure that as we progress with digital registration, all aspects are covered, both at the health facility and community level,” she said.

The Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Natalie McCauley, described birth registration as a fundamental right and a child’s first legal recognition by the state.

“A birth certificate offers proof of identity and lays the foundation for accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, social protection and child protection,” she said.

McCauley said Nigeria had made progress through the leadership of NPC and collaboration with NIMC, ALGON, development partners and communities.

She, however, said many children remained at risk of growing up without proof of legal identity, especially in remote and underserved communities.

McCauley urged continued investment in the integration, decentralisation and digitalisation of civil registration systems to ensure services were available where families lived.

“Every registered birth strengthens child protection. Every registered child becomes more visible to the systems designed to serve and protect them,” she said.

She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and its partners to strengthen birth registration and ensure that no child was left behind.

(NAN)

A medical expert, Dr Lateef Salako, has attributed misinformation and late detection as some of the factors responsible for the high mortality rate associated with cases of cancer in Nigeria.

Salako, a consultant oncologist at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, stated this during the 2025/2026 Recognition Day, Walimah and graduation ceremony of MIMBAR Schools in Ibadan, on Sunday.

The oncologist, who delivered a lecture at the programme, said there was a great deal of misinformation circulating, including tales that have no basis when it comes to cancer.

He said that many patients, as a result of the false information, come late to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

According to Salako, early detection and treatment remained the best chance to cure cancer.

The consultant oncologist said that cancer could be treated at stage I and stage II, but the chances of surviving it could not be guaranteed when it has reached stages III and IV.

“If treatment is delayed, the disease continues to progress and this often happens because they (patients) have been misinformed.

“Some people advise them against chemotherapy, surgery, or other evidence-based treatments. As a result, they seek help elsewhere, losing valuable time,” Salako said.

The consultant said that anyone could be diagnosed with cancer, including unborn babies.

In his welcome address, the Director of MIMBAR Schools, Mr Akinwale Akinlabi, said that the school would continue to instill strong moral and ethical values based on Islamic principles in the students.

“What makes us unique is our ability to seamlessly combine academic excellence with Islamic values to nurture the total child,” he said.

The director commended parents for supporting the school, adding that the school has continued to increase in population in spite of some challenges.

Akinlabi said that the school was able to overcome some of its challenges due to the support received from parents of students in the school.

The director said that the school would continue to build on the successes recorded in the outgoing session and uphold its vision.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Akinkunmi Ajisafe, called on parents not to only focus on their children’s academic performance but also on the moral aspect of their lives.

Ajisafe said most parents nowadays pay more attention to their children’s academic performance while neglecting the moral aspects, which was most important to having a better society.

Ajisafe attributed decadence in Nigeria to neglect of moral upbringing.

“Academics is good but must be combined with moral upbringing for us to have a better society,” he said.

The special guest of the occasion, Alhaji Cyril Idemudia, who said his children joined the school two years ago, expressed appreciation to the school for impacting both Islamic and western education on the students.

Idemudia said that he has witnessed a significant improvement in both western and Islamic education of his children within the two years of enrolling them in the school.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miss Ameerah Erale, who is also the best graduating student, attributed her successes to God, constant reading and support of parents and teachers.

Highlights of the programme included the unveiling of the school yearbook, drama, presentation of certificates, and award presentation, among others.

(NAN)

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance has risen to 22.03 million, reflecting significant progress in the country’s quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Director General of the NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed this during the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors in Lagos, attributing the 35 per cent year-on-year increase in enrolment to the implementation of Nigeria’s mandatory health insurance policy and growing public confidence in the scheme.

According to Ohiri, the NHIA has moved beyond policy development to delivering practical reforms that are expanding access to affordable healthcare across the country in line with the Federal Government’s health sector transformation agenda.

He said the country’s legal and policy frameworks for health insurance are already in place, stressing that the priority is now consistent implementation that translates government commitments into improved healthcare access for Nigerians.

Ohiri noted that collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, healthcare providers, Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), employers and development partners has played a critical role in driving the expansion of health insurance coverage.

He explained that the transition from the former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the National Health Insurance Authority has strengthened regulation, improved consumer protection and enhanced compliance through a more robust legal framework.

The NHIA, he said, achieved the recent growth in enrolment by working closely with State Social Health Insurance Agencies, federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, organised labour and private sector employers.

The agency has also intensified efforts to protect enrollees, recording an 87 per cent resolution rate for complaints. According to Ohiri, the NHIA resolved 3,878 complaints, concluded 95 per cent of cases within stipulated timelines, refunded more than N14.2 million to affected beneficiaries and sanctioned healthcare facilities that failed to meet required standards.

To improve service delivery, the authority has introduced new standards requiring healthcare providers to begin treatment for emergency cases involving insured patients within one hour of presentation.

Ohiri further revealed that the NHIA has increased financial support to healthcare providers, approving a 93 per cent increase in capitation payments and a 378 per cent increase in fee for service reimbursements to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure providers receive adequate compensation for specialised treatments.

He added that 7,592 healthcare facilities have been assessed under the SafeCare quality improvement framework as part of efforts to improve service standards and healthcare infrastructure nationwide.

The NHIA has also expanded programmes targeted at vulnerable populations, including maternal and newborn healthcare services that have benefited more than 48,500 pregnant women. The agency is equally strengthening support for pensioners, retirees and other vulnerable groups through dedicated funding mechanisms.

Ohiri said the reforms are aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the health sector reform programme being coordinated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, expressing confidence that the ongoing initiatives will accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards universal health coverage.

–As Oby Ikwu wins ACPN Secretary Poll, Akwa Ibom tops state dynamics

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has commended community pharmacists for their contributions to healthcare delivery and national development, urging them to remain diligent and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Keyamo, who was represented by Barrister Arinze Solomon Egbo, at the closing banquet of the 48th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) in Abuja, described pharmacists as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Speaking at the event, which marked the end of the conference themed, “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems,” the minister said pharmacists play a vital role in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivery across the country.

He applauded the profession’s commitment to quality healthcare and assured the association of the Federal Government’s support in advancing pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.

Egbo, who conveyed Keyamo’s apologies for his inability to attend the event, noted that the minister holds the pharmacy profession in high esteem and appreciates its contributions to national development.

The banquet also featured the announcement of the results of the ACPN State Dynamics assessment, with Akwa Ibom State emerging overall winner. Lagos State came second, while Rivers and Edo states finished third and fourth, respectively.

Speaking on the initiative, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Igwekanma Ambrose, said the assessment was designed to encourage state branches to align their activities with the association’s national objectives and deepen community engagement.

He commended the participating states for their efforts and urged them to sustain programmes that promote the growth of community pharmacy practice at the grassroots.

The climax of the conference, however, was the keenly contested election for the office of National Secretary.

In a tension-soaked contest, Pharm. Oby Ikwu secured 302 votes to defeat Pharm. Mosunmola Ajayi, who polled 117 votes.

Other positions were returned unopposed.

The week-long conference attracted community pharmacists, regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on issues bordering on healthcare delivery, digital transformation, local pharmaceutical manufacturing and the future of community pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 505 illegal and non-compliant premises in Cross River State, following a four-day enforcement exercise aimed at sanitising the pharmaceutical sector and protecting public health.

The operation, which covered 10 Local Government Areas, involved the inspection of 602 pharmaceutical premises. Findings revealed that nearly half (48.3 per cent) of the facilities were operating in violation of the provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022 and other regulatory standards.

Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar on behalf of the Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, Dr Suleiman S. Chiroma disclosed that the enforcement exercise resulted in the sealing of 505 premises comprising of 291 illegal medicine outlets, 54 pharmacies and 160 patent medicine stores for various regulatory infractions. In addition, 13 compliance directives were issued to operators to enable them rectify identified deficiencies.

According to the Council, only 42.5 per cent of the registered pharmacies inspected were fully compliant with regulatory requirements, while just 26.8 per cent of patent medicine vendors met the expected standards. The violations identified included operating without valid licences, poor storage conditions, unauthorised handling of controlled medicines and the unsupervised training of apprentices.

Chiroma warned that many of the affected premises were being operated by unqualified and unregistered persons, describing such practices as a serious threat to public health.

He also referenced the recent conviction of Mrs Ezea Isidora Kamchekwube, who operated two unlicensed medicine shops in Calabar and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court, noting that the judgment underscores the legal consequences of operating outside the regulatory framework.

The PCN urged members of the public to obtain medicines only from outlets displaying valid PCN licences, stressing that medicines dispensed by unqualified persons could result in treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and other avoidable health complications.

The Council reaffirmed that its enforcement activities form part of ongoing efforts to support the Federal Government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda by ensuring Nigerians have access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently averted a major public health threat after intercepting fake, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth over N53.39 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure, which also included illicit narcotics, codeine-containing cough syrup and other prohibited substances, prevented potentially dangerous medicines from entering the Nigerian market and reaching unsuspecting patients.

The intercepted products were formally handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Apapa Area Command of the Customs Service for regulatory action, investigation and prosecution.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed the development, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against the circulation of unsafe medicines, counterfeit pharmaceutical products and illicit drugs in the country.

He said the seizure followed months of intelligence gathering, coordinated surveillance, non-intrusive inspection, physical examination and collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies.

According to him, the operation led to the interception of nine containers containing a combination of expired pharmaceuticals, unregistered medicines, counterfeit products and narcotic substances with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53,391,140,029.

Among the pharmaceutical products seized were expired Tramadol, Oxytocin injections, Carbamazepine tablets, Cloxacillin capsules, Vitamin B12 injections and B-Complex injections.

The interception of the expired medicines raises fresh concerns about the activities of criminal networks attempting to introduce substandard and unsafe medical products into the healthcare supply chain, where they could expose patients to treatment failure, complications and avoidable health risks.

Of particular concern to health authorities is the seizure of expired Oxytocin injections, a critical medicine used in maternal healthcare, especially in the prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally.

Customs officers also uncovered counterfeit and unregistered medicines, including 1,100 packages of CHAPCOLD Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules bearing fake NAFDAC registration numbers and falsified import documents.

Adeniyi disclosed that investigations confirmed that the products were never registered by NAFDAC, indicating an organised attempt to smuggle unapproved medicines into the Nigerian pharmaceutical market.

The Customs boss warned that the impact of such illegal activities goes beyond financial losses, noting that fake and expired medicines endanger lives, undermine confidence in the healthcare system and pose serious risks to public health.

“These seizures represent far more than monetary value. They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he stated.

The operation also uncovered two containers containing 339,800 bottles of Codeine Syrup concealed inside cartons of insulated casserole dishes.

The seizure comes amid ongoing efforts by health and security agencies to tackle the abuse of codeine-based medicines, which has contributed to the growing challenge of substance abuse among young Nigerians.

In another major discovery, Customs intercepted two 40-foot containers containing 6.77 metric tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Canadian Loud.

The illicit drugs were concealed inside imported vehicles, household items and automobile spare parts in an attempt to evade detection by security officials.

Adeniyi said all narcotic substances recovered during the operation would be transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution, while expired, fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to NAFDAC for regulatory action and destruction.

He explained that the successful operation reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to strengthening medicine security, protecting citizens from harmful products and preventing criminal networks from exploiting the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

The Customs boss also disclosed that the operation was carried out shortly after the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and aligned with global efforts to combat cross-border organised crime.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller E.O.A. Oshoba, condemned the activities of smugglers, describing fake medicines, expired pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs as threats to both national security and public health. He assured that Apapa Port would not become a safe haven for criminal networks seeking to introduce harmful products into Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), represented by the Assistant Controller-General of Narcotics, Archie Abia Ibinabo, described the seizure as a major victory against transnational organised crime.

Marwa revealed that investigations leading to the interception lasted more than four months and involved the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other international partners.

He explained that one of the cannabis consignments departed Toronto, Canada, on 16 April, passing through Montreal and Morocco before arriving in Nigeria, while another shipment left Montreal on 1 May and moved through several trans-shipment points before it was intercepted at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

According to him, removing more than six metric tonnes of cannabis from circulation has significantly disrupted the activities of drug trafficking organisations targeting Nigerian communities.

He assured that investigations would continue to identify those behind the shipments, prosecute offenders and confiscate assets linked to the criminal operations.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by a director at the agency, Dr Kunle Olaniran, said the collaboration among NAFDAC, Customs, NDLEA and other relevant agencies has remained critical in preventing fake, expired and unregistered medicines from reaching Nigerians.

She urged Nigerians to always verify the NAFDAC registration number on medicine packs before purchase and report suspicious products to the agency. “Always watch out before you buy medicine. Look out for the NAFDAC number. If you see something, say something. Don’t keep quiet”, Dr Olaniran said.

Pharmacy leaders have challenged community pharmacy owners to move beyond operating individual outlets and begin building structured, scalable organisations capable of attracting and retaining skilled professionals.

The call was made during the first plenary session of the 45th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), tagged Unity 2026, with the theme: “Effective Workforce Management and Talent Retention Strategies in Community Pharmacy Practice.”

The session, chaired by former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. U.N.O. Uwaga, featured Pharm. Victor Afolabi, MD/CEO, Wellness Pharmacy, as lead speaker, alongside Pharm. Ifeanyi Obidike, MD/CEO, Bakan Gizo Pharmacy; Pharm. Josephine Ehimen, MD/CEO, Nett Pharmacy; and Pharm. Taofik Odukoya, MD/CEO, Vanguard Pharmacy.

The experts stressed that the future of community pharmacy depends on creating workplace systems that allow employees to grow, rather than building businesses that rely solely on the personality and presence of the owner.

Speaking during the session, Afolabi said being a pharmacist does not automatically translate into possessing the skills required to build and manage a successful pharmacy organisation.

According to him, many pharmacists remain focused on the technical aspects of the profession while neglecting management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed to scale their businesses.

“A shop, with all due respect, is not a test of your business acumen. A shop will not be enough for the pharmacist of the future,” he said, urging pharmacists to acquire additional skills that would enable them to build sustainable organisations.

He noted that other healthcare professionals had expanded their roles beyond clinical practice by developing management capabilities, stressing that pharmacists must embrace the same approach.

Odukoya, who shared insights from Vanguard Pharmacy’s growth from a single outlet into an organisation employing over 500 people, said pharmacy owners must stop blaming young professionals for workforce challenges and instead examine the systems they have created.

According to him, organisations must provide environments where employees can thrive through transparency, proper structures and clear responsibilities.

“Workforce management is not about working on the employee. It is about creating a system that allows people to thrive,” he said.

Odukoya explained that Vanguard Pharmacy’s transformation came after the company shifted from building the business around individuals to creating systems, processes and leadership structures.

On her part, Ehimen emphasized that continuous professional development, mentorship and visible career progression are not optional but essential components of employee retention.

She said pharmacists want workplaces where they can learn, grow and see a clear future for themselves.

According to her, Nett Pharmacy has made staff development a priority, with employees undergoing regular training covering clinical knowledge, leadership, management, communication and entrepreneurship.

“Do not look at staff development as an expense because you are afraid that people will leave. If you don’t train them and they stay, what happens?” she asked.

Ehimen added that employers must identify employees with leadership potential by assessing qualities such as integrity, willingness to learn and the ability to convert knowledge into value for the organisation.

Obidike, while speaking on balancing empathy with accountability, said pharmacy owners must combine compassion with clearly defined systems and standards.

He advised business owners to establish proper human resource structures, explaining that coaching and training should have timelines, after which performance expectations must be reviewed.

“After training, if the person still fails to meet expectations, that is where discipline begins,” he said.

The panelists also encouraged pharmacy owners to delegate responsibilities, engage employees regularly, create reward systems and maintain transparency in business operations.

Concluding the session, Pharm. Uwaga noted that the concerns raised about workforce development and young pharmacists had been observed for years, stressing the need for stronger mentorship and interaction between experienced pharmacists and the younger generation.

He recalled that previous generations learnt through close mentorship and practical experience, urging pharmacy leaders to create platforms that would help groom future professionals.

-As ACPN holds 45th Annual International Scientific Conference in Abuja

Governor of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and other stakeholders have called for a greater role for community pharmacists in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through improved access to quality medicines, primary healthcare delivery, policy reforms and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The call was made at the opening ceremony of the 45th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The conference, themed “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems,” brought together government officials, healthcare regulators, policymakers, pharmaceutical industry leaders and community pharmacists to deliberate on strategies for advancing pharmacy practice and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Represented by the Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, Governor Bago said healthcare transformation in today’s world depends not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on visionary leadership, sound governance, resilient institutions, strategic partnerships and effective public policies.

He described community pharmacies as indispensable components of the healthcare system, noting that they remain the first point of healthcare access for many Nigerians and play critical roles in disease prevention, health promotion, medicine safety and pharmaceutical care.

The governor highlighted ongoing health sector reforms in Niger State, including investments in primary healthcare infrastructure, digital health systems and disease surveillance, while urging delegates to develop practical policy recommendations capable of strengthening community pharmacy practice and improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.

In his address, Senator George Akume described community pharmacists as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system and urged them to intensify efforts toward improving the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality medicines across the country.

He encouraged pharmacists to strengthen public health education, promote disease prevention, support local pharmaceutical manufacturing and collaborate with government agencies in combating counterfeit medicines, substandard drugs and substance abuse.

The SGF also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies aimed at reducing pharmaceutical production costs, encouraging local manufacturing and expanding access to essential medicines for Nigerians.

Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Dr Amos Gwamna Magaji, described community pharmacies as the healthcare facilities closest to the people and advocated their greater integration into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He called for prompt reimbursement of services rendered by community pharmacists under the health insurance scheme, greater transparency in healthcare delivery, increased support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing and wider adoption of digital health technologies, including electronic prescriptions, to position Nigeria’s pharmacy profession for global competitiveness.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Raising Community Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria to Global Standard: Navigating the Complex Nigerian Political System,” the Managing Director of Evans Therapeutics Limited, Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, urged community pharmacists to look beyond traditional practice by embracing innovation, strengthening policy engagement and building strategic partnerships that would reposition the profession for greater national and global relevance.

He noted that community pharmacists must become active participants in shaping healthcare policies while leveraging technology, leadership and collaboration to respond effectively to Nigeria’s evolving healthcare and political landscape.

In his goodwill message, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, congratulated ACPN for sustaining one of the profession’s foremost scientific conferences and reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to supporting community pharmacy practice through constructive policy engagement, inter-professional collaboration and strategic partnerships, including ongoing efforts to tackle drug abuse and strengthen pharmaceutical care.

Chairman of the PSN Board of Fellows, Pharm. Uchenna Akpakama, commended ACPN for its contributions to healthcare delivery and called for greater recognition of community pharmacists as frontline primary healthcare providers. He advocated stronger policy support, expanded NHIA coverage, improved leadership development and sustained advocacy against drug abuse.

Similarly, the Chairman of the College of Past Presidents, Pharm. Yaro Budah, urged pharmacists to remain united in advancing the profession, encouraging younger practitioners to embrace mentorship, institutional continuity and collaborative leadership while building on the achievements of senior colleagues.

Earlier, the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh Igwekamma, welcomed delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, describing the conference as a strategic platform for examining the complex political, economic and professional issues shaping contemporary community pharmacy practice.

He expressed optimism that the deliberations would generate innovative ideas and practical policy recommendations capable of repositioning community pharmacy practice, strengthening healthcare delivery and enhancing the profession’s contribution to national development.

Former PSN President, Pharm. Azubike Okwor, (second from right) presenting a plaque to the representative of the Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, Niger State Commissioner for Health, at the 45th Annual ACPN International Conference, tagged Unity 2026 in Abuja.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised concerns over the growing use of digital platforms, fake job offers and online scams to recruit and exploit trafficking victims.

Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a news conference ahead of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The global event, observed annually on July 30, has the theme: “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlighting the increasing use of cyber-enabled fraud nd online deception to facilitate human trafficking.

Adamu-Bello said traffickers were increasingly exploiting social media platforms, encrypted communication channels and fraudulent overseas employment opportunities to lure vulnerable individuals.

According to her, NAPTIP rescued more than 300 victims linked to cyber-enabled trafficking from neighbouring countries, including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, in 2025.
She added that another 156 victims were rescued between January and July 2026 through operations carried out in collaboration with local and international partners.

The NAPTIP boss said the agency had also dismantled suspected trafficking-linked scam centres and secured 839 onvictions since its establishment, including 47 convictions recorded in 2026.

She explained that the agency’s interventions were anchored on prevention, protection, policy, partnership and prosecution, supported by public awareness campaigns and rehabilitation services for survivors.

Adamu-Bello urged Nigerians to verify overseas job offers, avoid unofficial recruitment channels and promptly report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

Also speaking, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Nigeria, Isabelle Wolfgruber, said criminal networks were becoming more sophisticated in exploiting digital platforms and vulnerable communities.

Wolfgruber said the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (PITOP) Strategy and Action Plan would strengthen NAPTIP’s interventions and improve state-level responses to trafficking..

She emphasised the need to expand safe and regular migration pathways while strengthening preventive measures and protection mechanisms for victims and migrants.

Siebesma said the Netherlands continued to support programmes in Nigeria focused on victim protection, prosecution capacity, awareness = reation and safe migration through partnerships with NAPTIP and development organisations.

He highlighted the Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (TIPVAP) project, implemented by ICMPD, as one of the initiatives supporting victim care, referral systems and awareness campaigns.

According to him, the Netherlands also supports migration governance, victim reintegration and anti-trafficking programmes through partnerships with the International nisation for Migration (IOM), C and other agencies.