The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) has warned of a looming crisis in pharmacy education in Nigeria, citing infrastructure deficits, manpower shortages and challenging working conditions as major threats to the sustainability of the profession.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pharmanews recently, the National Chairperson of the association, Professor Catherine Stanley, described academic pharmacists as the foundation upon which the entire pharmacy profession is built, noting that their core responsibilities include teaching, conducting research and training the next generation of pharmacists.
According to her, every practising pharmacist is first shaped within the academic system, making the health of pharmacy education critical to the survival and advancement of the profession. She cautioned that weakening academia would inevitably affect all other sectors of pharmacy practice.
The NAPA leader noted that many faculties of pharmacy across the country operate under significant constraints, including limited research funding and inadequate laboratory facilities.
She observed that in some institutions, available infrastructure does not sufficiently support advanced research or provide students with exposure to modern equipment and digital tools required in contemporary pharmaceutical practice.
Despite these challenges, she maintained that Nigerian pharmacy graduates continue to excel internationally. She pointed out that many former students now practising in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are performing exceptionally well, attributing their success to the dedication and resilience of academic pharmacists at home.
On collaboration between academia and industry, she stressed the need for stronger engagement to ensure that training aligns with evolving professional demands. She said improved communication between universities and industry stakeholders would help bridge gaps between classroom instruction and practical expectations in the workplace.
Stanley also expressed concern over staffing shortages in several pharmacy faculties, noting that in many departments senior academics are nearing retirement without adequate recruitment of younger lecturers to replace them. She warned that failure to address succession planning could create significant gaps in teaching capacity and research continuity.
While acknowledging the commitment of many academic pharmacists who remain devoted to mentorship and professional development, she emphasised the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, research support and improved working conditions to attract and retain young pharmacists in academia.
She maintained that strengthening pharmacy education is essential not only for the profession but also for national healthcare development, urging stakeholders to prioritise policies that will secure the future of academic pharmacy in Nigeria.
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