In this exclusive interview with Adebayo Oladejo, President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, David Oghenetejiri Olili, shares insights into his leadership journey, the state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria, and the initiatives under his administration. The Delta-State born final-year scholar also speaks candidly about why private pharmacy education deserves more recognition in the national student community. Excerpts:
Why did you choose to study Pharmacy and why Igbinedion University?
I have always wanted to be a pharmacist, so when it was time for university and my parents opted for a private institution, I chose IUO, because of its solid track record of producing top-notch pharmacists.
What inspired you to take up the leadership mantle as PANS president, and how has the journey been so far?
Being PANS president has always been a dream since my 100 level when I joined the association. I believe strongly that if you spend time in a community, your impact should be felt. I saw PANS politics as a platform to make that happen.
So far, the journey has come with mixed emotions. It’s been demanding, but because it’s something I hoped and prayed for, I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.
As a student of a private university, how would you describe the quality of pharmacy education and training at Igbinedion University?
Pharmacy school at Igbinedion is among the top in the country. The lecturers are highly experienced, and the learning environment is very conducive. One major strength is our uninterrupted academic calendar. As a B.Pharm student, your five years is exactly five years, and for PharmD students, six years means six years. That’s a huge advantage compared to the frequent delays public university students face.
Moreover, private institutions typically offer better learning conditions. On the other hand, we sometimes face challenges like shortage of lecturers, as many prefer teaching in government-owned universities.
How does PANS-IUO engage with PANS National activities, and what role do you think private universities should play in the broader student pharmacy community in Nigeria?
PANS-IUO has always been very active nationally. If I were to rate private universities in terms of engagement with PANS National, IUO is at the top. We hold the title of the first-ever private university to host a national convention — one of the largest gatherings of pharmacy students in the country. Over the past four years that I’ve been a member of PANS, IUO has consistently participated in national conventions.
Private universities should be more supported by their institutions to actively engage with the broader pharmacy student community in Nigeria.
Tell us about some key initiatives or projects your administration has undertaken or is currently working on.
At the start of my tenure, we adopted the theme “PANSITECENTRIC” — meaning all our actions would be centered on the welfare of our members. Since then, we’ve organised several impactful initiatives. We held an orientation programme for 100-level students tagged FRESH 1.0, as well as a workshop for 400-level students on industrial training titled Maximising Your IT Experience. We also distributed exam welfare packages to all members during the first-semester exams of the 2024/2025 academic session.
We equally carried out a Pad a Girl campaign in collaboration with our Public Health Team, where we distributed free sanitary pads to over 200 secondary school students and educated them on menstrual hygiene.
Recently, we hosted a webinar in partnership with a pharmacy school in Ghana, themed Pharmacy Care Redefined: Empowering Gen Z Pharmacists for a Better Healthcare. We had renowned pharmacist, Dr Chigbo, as a keynote speaker. We also carried out minor repairs and renovations in our lecture areas to ensure our members enjoy a more conducive learning environment. Most of these initiatives are first-of-their-kind in the history of PANS-IUO.
What are your views on the current state of pharmacy practice and education in Nigeria, especially from a student’s perspective?
From a student’s point of view, the current state of pharmacy practice, especially community pharmacy, is not encouraging. It’s disturbing that pharmacists who undergo rigorous training still have to compete with quacks and illiterates who treat drug sales as mere business. This poses a huge danger to public health. I strongly believe government intervention is necessary to sanitize the sector.
As for pharmacy education, the curriculum can be overwhelming. It would help if the Pharmacy Council or the relevant authorities could review it to focus on what pharmacists truly need in practice. And let’s not forget the issue of remuneration — what pharmacists are paid in Nigeria today is honestly discouraging. Something needs to be done to make the profession more rewarding, especially for the upcoming generation.
What do you think should be done to better prepare pharmacy students for real-world practice after graduation?
More seminars and orientation programmes should be organised to enlighten students about life after school. Preparing their minds for the realities of the profession would help them adapt better upon graduation.
What message do you have for your fellow pharmacy students across Nigeria, especially those aspiring to leadership positions?
First, be proud of being a pharmacy student — it’s a noble profession. The journey may be tough and frustrating at times, but don’t give up. Stay the course and make sure you graduate and get inducted. For aspiring leaders, you can achieve it if you believe in yourself. Just make sure your academics don’t suffer. You can’t be a leader with poor results. Leadership is about balance and responsibility
