In May 2022, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) hosted its first-ever national retreat at the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Auditorium in Yaba, Lagos. Themed “Repositioning Pharmacy”, the event brought together leading figures from pharmacy education, regulation, industry, and public health to assess the current state of the profession—and chart a transformative path forward.

A Defining Gathering of Stakeholders

The two-day hybrid retreat welcomed high-level participants, including:

NAPharm President, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, FNAPharm

PSN President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh

NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NIPRD DG, Dr. Obi Adigwe

PCN Chairman, Prof. Ahmed Mora

Representatives from WAPCP, SON, YPG, PANS, and top Deans, Directors, and captains of the pharmaceutical industry.

The retreat produced a far-reaching communiqué and actionable recommendations, covering six key areas of the profession:

1. Situation Analysis

2. Education

3. Professional Practice

4. Regulation

5. Mentorship

6. Leadership

Key Outcomes and Recommendations

🔹 Education Reform

Emphasis on practical, experiential learning in pharmacy schools

Expansion of departments to include Public Health Pharmacy, Primary Health Care, etc.

Support for the National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy

Calls to improve pharmacy lecturer welfare and integrate practice with academic teaching

🔹 Regulatory and Policy Shifts

Urgent call for the Pharmacy Bill to be signed into law

Executive order proposed to localize essential drug and vaccine production

Recommendation for a National Pharmaceutical Policy focused on incentives and investment in APIs

🔹 Mentorship & Professional Development

Structured mentorship from faculties to practice

Inclusion of soft skills, entrepreneurship, and ethics in training

Calls for leadership training and pharmacist involvement in governance

🔹 Strengthening Practice & Innovation

Push for pharmacy residency programs

Recommendations for technology adoption, collaboration across healthcare disciplines, and improved data systems

Support for rural pharmacy and expansion of access through innovative models

Strategic Themes: Collaboration, Innovation, and Capacity Building

A recurring message throughout the retreat was the need for collaboration across academia, regulators, practitioners, and policymakers. The retreat highlighted innovation as a priority, with support for research centers like the Olu Akinkugbe Research and Innovation Centre.

With a pharmacist-to-population ratio far below WHO standards, participants called for bold reforms to boost training capacity, build local drug manufacturing, and elevate the role of pharmacists in national development.

A Roadmap for the Future

The retreat was more than a meeting—it was a declaration that pharmacy in Nigeria must evolve. From regulatory restructuring to educational modernization and leadership cultivation, NAPharm is driving a new vision for pharmaceutical care and policy.

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy remains committed to transforming these recommendations into measurable progress. This retreat was a first step—and the journey ahead requires the continued partnership of all pharmacists, health institutions, and policymakers.