PCN Inducts 171 UNIBEN Pharmacy Graduates

– As Dean urges integrity, excellence in practice

The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, has inducted 171 graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin (UNIBEN), who completed their studies in the 2024/2025 academic session.

Speaking shortly before leading the graduands in the oath-taking ceremony, Ahmed charged them to uphold high ethical standards and embrace continuous professional development as they begin their careers. He described the induction as a critical requirement under the PCN Act for registration as pharmacists, noting that the graduates had only completed the first phase of their professional training.

“As you take the oath today and become inducted members of the pharmacy profession, I urge you to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities, and endeavour to be worthy professionals in the pursuit of excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services,” he said.

The registrar stressed that the next phase of training, the mandatory one-year internship, must be undertaken in accredited centres. He urged the inductees to treat the internship programme with utmost seriousness, as it forms the foundation for future professional competence.

According to him, the internship will prepare the graduates for the Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists, a qualifying assessment conducted twice yearly. “You are advised to take your internship training seriously, as the examination is based primarily on the experiences acquired during the training,” he said.

Ahmed also urged the graduands to familiarise themselves with the profession’s code of ethics, which outlines responsibilities to patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals, employers, and the public.

He warned against professional misconduct, noting that the council would not hesitate to invoke disciplinary measures provided under the law.

“The council frowns on professional misconduct in its entirety. Refrain from any act of misconduct, as this will be treated with all the seriousness it deserves,” he added.

Highlighting career prospects, the registrar said Pharmacy offers diverse opportunities in industry, hospitals, community practice, academia, research, administration, and even non-traditional fields such as information technology and journalism.

He further emphasised the importance of lifelong learning in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment marked by technological advancement, emerging diseases, drug resistance, and increasingly complex treatment challenges.

Ahmed noted that the council’s Continuing Professional Development programme was designed to ensure pharmacists remain relevant and competent, in line with global best practices and directives of the Federal Ministry of Health.

He also cautioned against the “register-and-go syndrome,” urging the inductees to remain committed to professional excellence and integrity throughout their careers.

“As frontline health workers, you are expected to offer professional advice on drug use and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, especially during public health emergencies,” he said.

The registrar congratulated the graduates, commending their resilience and the support of their parents and guardians, and expressed optimism that they would contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In his goodwill message, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Prof. Ighodaro Igbe, charged the graduands to uphold integrity, compassion, and professionalism in their careers.

He described the induction ceremony as a formal declaration by PCN that the university had fulfilled its mandate in training the graduands, noting that it also signified their commitment to the ethics and responsibilities of the profession.

The dean said the faculty has sustained a strong reputation for producing competent pharmacists who have excelled in academia, hospital practice, industry, and public service, as he commended the 171 graduands, describing them as worthy in character and learning. He urged them to remain good ambassadors of the institution.

“As you go forth, let integrity guide your conduct, compassion define your service, and excellence distinguish your practice. Always remember that every medicine you handle represents trust from patients, colleagues, and society at large,” he said.

Igbe also advised them to remain humble in success and resilient in failure.

“When you succeed, do not let success get into your head, and when you fail, do not let failure get to your heart,” he added.

The dean acknowledged the support of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, praising his leadership and commitment to academic excellence and research development. He referenced recent developments in the faculty, particularly the approval by the university senate for the establishment of the Institute of Herbal and Complementary Medicine, aimed at promoting research, capacity building, and specialised training in line with national health priorities.

He noted that the faculty has also sustained its leadership in pharmaceutical education as one of the pioneers of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme in Nigeria.

He urged the newly inducted pharmacists to make meaningful contributions to society and to uphold the values of the profession.