PCN Inducts 132 UNILAG Pharmacy Graduands

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has recently inducted 132 pharmacy graduands of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) into the profession.

Out of the 132 inductees who were the 2024/2025 set of the faculty, 67 of them came out with distinction, with Pharmacists Jeremiah Opeyemi Samuel emerging as the overall best graduating student, Divine Amalachukwu Livewell as second best graduating student and Sarah Motunrayo Kutu emerging as the third best graduating student.

The induction ceremony which also featured the 11th Alumni Lecture of the Faculty of Pharmacy brought together notable dignitaries who charged the new pharmacists to uphold ethics, embrace innovation and position themselves as leaders in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

In his address shortly before leading the inductees on oath taking session, the Registrar of the council, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, represented by the Director of the PCN Lagos Office, Pharm. Taiwo Filusi, described the induction ceremony as an important statutory requirement before registration as pharmacists.

He reminded the graduates that the one-year internship programme remains compulsory and must be completed in PCN-accredited centres. He cautioned them against seeking to travel abroad before completing their training, noting that they would need a letter of good standing before practicing in countries like the United States, United Kingdom or Canada.

The registrar warned against professional misconduct, including the “ghost pharmacist” syndrome, stressing that the council’s investigative panel and disciplinary tribunal have the authority to suspend or revoke licences. He urged the inductees to maintain high ethical standards, avoid dishonest practices and commit to continuous professional development to remain relevant in modern healthcare.

In her remark, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, represented by Professor Oluwole Familoni, described the graduation as a major milestone and urged the new pharmacists to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Sunday Adesegun, also encouraged the inductees to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging trends shaping global pharmacy practice.

The Chairman of the occasion, who is the group CEO of Horizon Holding, Dr Victor Afolabi urged the graduands to embrace innovation as guiding principle, noting that change has become constant in the world. He noted that the future does no longer reward those who simply maintain the status quo but those bold enough to imagine something better.

Dr Afolabi charged the graduands to be resilient in the face of challenges, and refused to be defeated. He also urged them to manage their expectations and outcomes, saying life rarely unfolds as planned.  “There is no substitute for hard work. Diligence shapes your reputation, determines the quality of your results and opens doors that brilliance alone cannot open. As you go forth, let excellence be your standard and let diligence be your signature”, Dr Afolabi charged the graduands.

The keynote address, delivered by Pharm. Adesola Arowolo, vice president, PBR Life Science Platforms & Solutions, centred on the future of pharmacy in a technology-driven world. Arowolo observed that digital tools, artificial intelligence, e-pharmacies and biotechnology are transforming the profession, and warned that pharmacists must lead technological disruption rather than become victims of it. He explained that many health-tech innovations around the world are being created by non-pharmacists, despite the pharmacist’s unique understanding of medicines, patients and clinical judgment.

Arowolo urged the graduands to strengthen their ability to apply clinical judgment within digital systems, noting that AI may flag drug interactions but only pharmacists can interpret such alerts in the context of a patient’s overall condition. He also emphasised the importance of data literacy, saying modern healthcare requires pharmacists to think not only about individual patients but also patterns and population-level outcomes. He encouraged them to recognise gaps they encounter in practice and use those challenges as inspiration for building new solutions.

He stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, pointing out that some of the best health-tech innovations have emerged from teams involving pharmacists, engineers, designers and business experts. Despite rapid technological change, he cautioned the inductees never to lose the human touch, reminding them that empathy remains central to pharmaceutical care. Arowolo urges the new pharmacists to be curious, intentional and unafraid to explore non-traditional pathways in pharmacy, saying their degree should serve as a platform, not a limitation.

The Special Guest of Honour, Pharm. Adesola Bakare, also addressed the graduands and congratulated them on their achievement. She urged them to uphold integrity, curiosity, humanity and pride in the profession. Bakare encouraged them to constantly update their knowledge on new drugs, devices and wellness practices, and to apply global insights in ways that meet local needs.

Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, commended the graduands and assured them that the society is working to ensure more internship opportunities across the state. He disclosed that the PSN will honour the three best graduating students of the faculty at its annual ceremony next year and encouraged the new pharmacists to become active members of the society.

The event concluded with the presentation of various categories of awards to distinguished students in recognition of their academic excellence and outstanding performance.