Pharmacy leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders from across Nigeria converged on Kano for the 98th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), reaffirming their commitment to repositioning the profession as a catalyst for healthcare transformation.
Themed, “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration and Health Transformation,” the conference drew distinguished participants from academia, regulatory agencies, professional bodies, and the private sector — all united in charting a new course for the future of pharmacy in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prof. Lere Baale, represented by Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, commended the PSN leadership for sustaining a culture of excellence, advocacy, and innovation. He described the conference as a celebration of compassion, resilience, and professional value, calling for stronger collaboration between the Academy and PSN to promote mentorship, industrial growth, and impactful research.
According to him, the shared mission of both bodies is to make pharmacy indispensable to national and global transformation.
The National President of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Comrade (Dr) Kabiru Ado Minjibir, expressed concern over the long-standing neglect of key welfare issues affecting health professionals, particularly the non-implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, pending since 2014.
He noted that less than 10 percent of federal health institutions have implemented the consultant pharmacist cadre, while the entry point for Pharm.D and B.Pharm holders remains unaddressed.
The President, however, commended PSN for its consistent advocacy and partnership, describing the Society as a dependable ally in advancing the interests of all health workers.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Pharm. (Hajiya) Wosilat O. Giwa, urged pharmacists to use the conference as a moment for reflection and renewed unity. He reminded practitioners that pharmacy has always been defined by resilience, professionalism, and solidarity, and encouraged members to rekindle these values in the face of emerging challenges. He expressed optimism that the deliberations in Kano would inspire lasting change and strengthen the profession’s public image.
Also speaking, the Vice- Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Haruna Musa, in his address, emphasiSed the critical role of universities in shaping a future-ready pharmaceutical workforce. He highlighted BUK’s pioneering status as the first Nigerian university to introduce the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programme, reaffirming its commitment to producing pharmacists who are adaptable, digitally literate, and ethically grounded.
He added that true healthcare transformation depends on stronger partnerships between academia, industry, and government, noting that BUK continues to invest in research, mentorship, and collaboration with PSN, PCN, and NAFDAC.
Bringing an international perspective, the President of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA), Dr Kunle Tometi, commended Nigerian pharmacists for their growing global relevance and resilience. He noted the rapid evolution of pharmacy practice from community and clinical services to digital and industrial innovation, calling for greater investment in continuous learning and advanced practice.
He also pledged NAPPSA’s support for PSN through research partnerships and capacity-building initiatives that will open new global opportunities for Nigerian pharmacists.
The conference, which featured robust discussions and networking among key stakeholders, underscored the need for a united and forward-looking profession anchored on innovation, capacity development, and ethical practice. Participants agreed that pharmacy must continue to build a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of addressing emerging health challenges and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
As the 98th Annual National Conference concluded, one message resonated clearly from Kano: unity, professionalism, and innovation remain the pillars upon which the future of pharmacy in Nigeria will stand.
