Nigeria Academy Of Pharmacy Reaffirms Commitment To Innovation, Honours Late Founding President

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving pharmaceutical innovation as a key pillar of national development.

This was made known at the Academy’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Valedictory Session, and Investiture Ceremony held at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba

The two-day event, themed: “Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development,” brought together distinguished professionals, policymakers, and academics to explore how innovation in pharmacy and healthcare can accelerate economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.

This year’s gathering featured a Valedictory Session in honour of the Academy’s founding president and one of Nigeria’s most revered pharmacists, late Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe.

President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NAPHARM, Prof. Lere Baale, described Chief Akinkugbe as “a pharmacist, leader, and statesman whose life exemplified grace, discipline, and visionary service to humanity.” Tributes poured in from Fellows and dignitaries, celebrating his enduring influence on pharmacy education, leadership, and national policy.

Delivering the keynote address, the Group Managing Director of First HoldCo Plc, Mr. Wale Oyedeji, underscored the role of pharmaceutical innovation in driving national progress.

He noted that “pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs but also about building an ecosystem that fosters knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across public and private sectors.”

Mr. Oyedeji urged greater investment in research, local manufacturing, and digital health to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain and health security.

A major highlight of the event was the induction of 14 new Distinguished Fellows and four Honorary Fellows into the Academy, recognised for outstanding contributions to pharmacy education, research, policy, and entrepreneurship.

The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include: Pharm. Dr Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Adenike Olubisi Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi; Pharm. Dr Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty; Pharm. Dr Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; Pharm. Dr Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.

The four Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.

The Academy also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Pharm. Prof. Gabriel Osuide, Pharm. Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr. Fidelis Ayebae for their enduring service to the profession.

Prof. Baale congratulated the honorees, describing the academy as “a think tank for advancing pharmaceutical excellence, knowledge translation, and health system innovation across Africa.” He urged the new Fellows to uphold the values of integrity, scholarship, and service that define NAPHARM’s mission.

The ceremony drew notable figures from academia, government, and industry, including the Founding President of NAPHARM, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Pharm. Sir Ike Onyechi, Prof. Fola Tayo, Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, and several others.

The event featured inspiring speeches, awards, and cultural performances celebrating the vibrancy and unity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical community.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Baale emphasised that “pharmacy holds the power to shape the future of the country’s healthcare, innovation, and industrial growth. When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are securing our nation’s health, economy, and dignity.”