As Nigeria continues to strive for better healthcare services, the government is appealing to pharmacists trained abroad to bring their skills back home.
Rather than chasing opportunities overseas, these professionals are being encouraged to play a vital role in improving the country’s healthcare landscape.
This message was delivered on Friday in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, through Adeola Olufowobi-Yusuf, Director of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, during the induction and oath-taking ceremony for foreign-trained pharmacists.
The Importance of Local Expertise
Professor Pate emphasized that Nigeria’s healthcare sector is at a pivotal moment, needing skilled professionals to enhance patient safety, improve access to quality medicines, and promote the rational use of drugs.
He stressed that pharmacists returning home can make a real difference, both for patients and for the broader healthcare system.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, calling it crucial for job creation, building confidence in domestically produced medicines, and driving national development.
“By looking inward and believing in yourself, while trusting in God, you can excel,” Pate said.
“This profession offers you a chance to make a meaningful impact.
Today’s oath is more than a ceremony—it’s a promise to uphold ethical standards, serve patients with compassion, and advance pharmaceutical care in Nigeria.”
Lessons from Experience: Turning Down Opportunities Abroad
Sharing his own journey, Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), recounted how he turned down lucrative opportunities overseas after studying in the UK to return home.
“Returning to Nigeria was the best career decision I ever made,” he said.
“It allowed me to use my global exposure to make a real impact where it was most needed.
There’s nothing you can do with a pharmacy degree abroad that you cannot do here. Serving your country is just as noble as serving God.”
Dr. Adigwe acknowledged the tempting salaries abroad but emphasized the long-term professional fulfilment and opportunities to contribute to national growth that Nigeria offers.
He also pointed to major investments by businessmen like Aliko Dangote and government-backed initiatives in refining, ports, and pharmaceutical manufacturing as proof of the country’s potential.
Expanding Opportunities in Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Sector
According to Dr. Adigwe, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is undergoing significant growth.
Several local companies have obtained World Health Organization prequalification, and projects to expand active pharmaceutical ingredient production are creating fresh career opportunities for pharmacists.
He noted that international funding is also being mobilized to support the sector under the current administration’s value-chain development initiatives.
Preparing Pharmacists for Local Practice
Earlier in the ceremony, Ibrahim Ahmed, Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, explained that the induction marked the successful completion of the second cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme.
The programme equips foreign-trained pharmacists with knowledge of Nigeria’s epidemiological trends, pharmacy laws, and clinical realities, ensuring they are ready to practise safely and effectively in the country.
Ahmed stressed that pharmacists’ roles are expanding within Nigeria’s health system, making their contributions more critical than ever.
Encouraging foreign-trained pharmacists to remain in the country can help reduce the ongoing brain drain and strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
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