By Aderogba George
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has charged pharmacists under the Foreign Trained Nigerian Pharmacists platform to uphold ethical conduct and leadership standards established by the council nationwide.
Mr Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, delivered the charge in Abuja, during the oath-taking and induction ceremony for participants in the second cycle of the 2025 FPGOP programme.
The Registrar urged inductees to become exemplary professionals, committed to excellence and the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical services that supported sustainable healthcare development across Nigeria for all citizens nationwide.
He explained that the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP) was designed to acquaint graduates with practical realities of professional practice in tropical environments, with strong emphasis on Nigeria’s healthcare, regulatory, and cultural context systems nationally.
According to Ahmed, pharmacy remains a noble profession offering graduates diverse opportunities to practice successfully in industries, community pharmacies, hospitals, administration, and other impactful healthcare-related sectors nationwide and internationally.
He further listed research, academia, and emerging human endeavours including information technology, journalism, publishing, and governance, stressing that pharmacists must value teamwork and avoid undermining colleagues within collaborative practice environments nationwide.
Hajia Wosilat Giwa, Chairman of the occasion and PCN Governing Council Chair, congratulated the inductees for successfully completing the programme and meeting professional requirements set by the council with diligence.
She noted that the inductees crossed borders, navigated varied educational systems, and overcame the rigours of FPGOP, demonstrating readiness to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s evolving pharmaceutical space professionally ethically.
According to Giwa, FPGOP serves as a quality control mechanism, equipping foreign-trained pharmacists with essential clinical, legal, regulatory, and social competencies required for effective pharmacy practice in Nigeria safely sustainably nationwide.
She said completion of the programme demonstrated resilience and adaptability, positioning pharmacists to integrate global expertise with Nigeria’s healthcare realities while upholding public trust and strict ethical standards professionally.
Giwa observed Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector was at a pivotal stage, prioritising local manufacturing, research advancement, innovation, access to safe medicines, and strengthened primary healthcare services nationwide for sustainable national development goals.
Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), encouraged inductees to develop clear personal visions and contribute meaningfully to national growth through dedicated pharmaceutical research, innovation, and service within Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem.
He cited Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s success, noting wealth was built through vision, patience, and persistence, encouraging graduates to believe in long-term professional growth rather than immediate gains or shortcuts.
Adigwe urged the graduates to remain in Nigeria, apply their expertise locally, and support national development, stressing that commitment at home was vital for strengthening the country economically socially sustainably long-term.
In a goodwill message, NMCN Registrar, Mr Ndagi Alhassan, commended PCN’s leadership for its dedication to regulating pharmacy education, training, practice, and business nationwide with professionalism transparency consistency integrity diligence accountability.
He affirmed pharmacists’ critical role in healthcare delivery, adding that collaboration between PCN and NMCN remained essential to protect the public and uphold ethical, professional, and clinical standards nationally. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
