The Federal Government has called on Nigerian pharmacists trained abroad to resist the temptation of practising overseas and instead deploy their expertise to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The appeal was made on Friday in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, Adeola Olufowobi-Yusuf, during the induction and oath-taking ceremony for foreign-trained pharmacists.
The minister said Nigeria’s healthcare sector requires sed professionals as the country intensifies efforts to improve access to quality medicines, enhance patient safety and promote the rational use of drugs. He stressed that pharmacists have a critical role to play in achieving these objectives through ethical practice, professionalism and dedication to service.
Pate also highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, describing it as central to job creation, national development and building public confidence in locally produced medicines. He urged the newly inducted pharmacists to see their oath not merely as a formality, but as a lifelong commitment to integrity, compassion and service to the Nigerian people.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Dr Obi Adigwe, shared his personal experience of rejecting lucrative opportunities abroad to return to Nigeria after completing his stus in the United Kingdom. He said the decision allowed him to make a greater impact by applying global exposure to local healthcare challenges.
While acknowledging the financial attraction of working overseas, Adigwe maintained that staying in Nigeria offers long-term professional fulfilment and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national development. He noted that increased investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare value chains have created new opportunities for pharmacists.
Earlier, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Ahmed, said the induction marked the successful completion of the second cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme, which equips foreign-trained pharmacists with knowledge of Nigeria’s health system, laws and clinical realities.
I think its great that the government is encouraging foreign-trained pharmacists to contribute to our healthcare system. Itll definitely benefit the local community!
I dont think foreign-trained pharmacists should be prioritized over local talent. Lets invest in our own healthcare professionals first.
Do foreign-trained pharmacists truly benefit our healthcare system, or do they pose a threat to job opportunities for locally trained professionals?
I dont understand why were not focusing on training more local pharmacists instead of relying on foreign-trained ones. Lets invest in our own talents!
I think its great that the government is encouraging foreign-trained pharmacists to help improve our healthcare system. Lets support this initiative!