The Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through sustained investment in infrastructure, workforce welfare, and pharmaceutical regulation.
Represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, at the opening ceremony of the 98th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged “DABO 2025”, Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation for the recognition bestowed on him as the Pharmacy-Friendly Governor of the Year by the PSN.
The governor noted that the award reflects his government’s ongoing reforms and investments aimed at improving access to quality healthcare. He highlighted key interventions including the upgrade of a major paediatric hospital, the renovation of 180 health facilities, the revitalisation of the state’s Drug Management Agency, and the improvement of drug availability across public health facilities from 30 to 97 percent.
He further disclosed that his administration has cleared a ₦2.7 billion backlog of gratuities owed civil servants, introduced the ₦71,000 minimum wage, and prioritised the health sector as the second most-funded sector in the 2025 budget.
“Our administration will continue to partner with professional bodies like the PSN to promote safe, efficient, and accessible healthcare for all residents of Kano State,” the governor’s representative said.
In his welcome address, PSN President, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, commended the Kano State Government for creating a conducive environment for healthcare delivery and supporting pharmacists in public service.
He used the opportunity to highlight the Society’s recent achievements, including legal victories affirming the regulatory powers of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), improved salary structures for public sector pharmacists, and progress toward establishing a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy.
PSN President emphasised the need to build a future-ready pharmaceutical workforce, stressing that the profession must produce “holistic, broad-based, and practice-oriented graduates” capable of leading healthcare transformation in Nigeria.
“This conference theme challenges us to redefine our professional pathways, strengthen academic and practice collaboration, and drive national health transformation,” he said.
Ayuba however apologised for minor logistical hitches during the conference and expressed optimism that participants would have a rewarding experience.
The 98th PSN Conference, holding in Kano State, drew delegates from across Nigeria and featured the presentation of various professional awards and papers centred on workforce development and healthcare innovation.
