A cross-section of foreign-trained Nigerian pharmacists taking the oath during their induction ceremony in Abuja.
By Aderogba George
Abuja, Jan. 9, 2026 (NAN)
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has issued a powerful charge to newly inducted pharmacists, emphasizing that ethical conduct and leadership are non-negotiable pillars of the profession. This directive was delivered during the oath-taking and induction ceremony for participants in the second cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacists Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP) in Abuja.
The Core Mandate: Beyond Technical Skill to Ethical Leadership
Mr. Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the PCN, framed the induction not merely as a procedural formality, but as a foundational commitment to professional integrity. He urged the inductees to become exemplary professionals, whose primary duty is to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical services that underpin sustainable healthcare development across Nigeria.
Why this emphasis is critical: In a healthcare landscape often challenged by drug counterfeiting, unethical promotion, and access disparities, the pharmacist’s role as a trusted custodian of medicine is paramount. Leadership, in this context, means advocating for patient safety above commercial interests and mentoring peers to uphold the profession’s noble standards.
The FPGOP: Bridging the Global-National Practice Gap
The Registrar explained that the FPGOP is a crucial bridging programme, designed to acclimate foreign-trained graduates to the specific realities of pharmacy practice in Nigeria. This goes beyond tropical medicine; it encompasses Nigeria’s unique healthcare systems, regulatory frameworks, and socio-cultural contexts that influence patient behavior and treatment adherence.
Practical Context: A pharmacist trained in the UK or US may be unfamiliar with Nigeria’s National Drug Policy, the logistics of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), or common local drug-use misconceptions the FPGOP addresses these gaps, ensuring safe and context-aware practice.
A Profession of Vast and Evolving Opportunities
Highlighting the profession’s dynamism, Ahmed outlined diverse career pathways: from traditional roles in community pharmacies, hospitals, and industry to impactful positions in health administration, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and public health policy. He notably expanded the horizon to include emerging intersections with information technology (e.g., health tech startups), medical journalism, and governance.
Key Imperative: He stressed the importance of collaborative teamwork, warning against undermining colleagues. In modern healthcare, patient outcomes depend on seamless interaction between pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other health workers.
Quality Control and National Integration
Hajia Wosilat Giwa, Chairman of the PCN Governing Council, congratulated the inductees, recognizing the resilience required to navigate foreign educational systems and the rigours of the FPGOP. She positioned the programme as a essential quality control mechanism for the nation’s pharmaceutical space.
“FPGOP equips you with the essential clinical, legal, regulatory, and social competencies required for effective and safe practice in Nigeria,” Giwa stated. She emphasized that completion of the programme demonstrates an adaptability that allows pharmacists to integrate global expertise with local realities, a vital skill for Nigeria’s healthcare advancement.
Aligning with National Healthcare Ambitions
Giwa placed the inductees’ journey within Nigeria’s broader pharmaceutical ambitions, noting the sector is at a pivotal stage focused on:
– Boosting local drug manufacturing (to reduce import dependency).
– Advancing pharmaceutical research and innovation.
– Ensuring equitable access to safe, quality medicines.
– Strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
This context frames the new pharmacists not just as practitioners, but as potential contributors to national health security and economic development.
A Call to Vision and Patriotic Commitment
Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), delivered a stirring charge focused on vision and patriotism. He encouraged inductees to develop a clear personal vision for their impact, using the example of Aliko Dangote to illustrate that enduring success is built on patience, persistence, and long-term commitment, not immediate gains.
His most poignant plea was for graduates to remain and invest their expertise within Nigeria. “Commitment at home is vital for strengthening the country economically and socially for the long term,” Adigwe asserted, highlighting the brain drain challenge and the transformative potential of retaining top talent.
Inter-Professional Collaboration for Public Safety
In a goodwill message, Mr. Ndagi Alhassan, Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), commended the PCN’s regulatory diligence. He affirmed the critical, collaborative role of pharmacists in the healthcare team and underscored the importance of inter-professional regulatory cooperation to protect the public and uphold universal ethical standards.
Conclusion: This induction ceremony transcended a routine welcome. It was a strategic orientation into the ethical, professional, and nationalistic dimensions of pharmacy in Nigeria. The foreign-trained pharmacists are now charged with a dual mandate: to excel as global professionals while anchoring their practice firmly in the ethical and developmental needs of Nigeria. Their successful integration is a key step toward a more robust, self-reliant, and ethically sound pharmaceutical sector for the nation.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru
