Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy to promote medicine sovereignty, health security
Nike Popoola
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) is set to champion national health security, medicine sovereignty, pharmaceutical innovation and sustainable healthcare as it holds its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Investiture of New Fellows in Lagos.
The two-day programme, scheduled for November 16 and 17, 2026, will provide a platform for stakeholders to examine strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, improving access to quality medicines and building a more resilient healthcare system.
The highlight of the event will be a keynote address by Dr Pavel Ursu, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria, on Tuesday, November 17.
The address will focus on the theme, “Pharmacy for National Health Security: Advancing Innovation, Medicine Sovereignty and Sustainable Healthcare.”
According to the Academy, the theme reflects its commitment to positioning pharmacy as a strategic pillar of national development, public health resilience, pharmaceutical innovation and sustainable access to quality medicines.
Speaking ahead of the event, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NAPharm, Professor Lere Baale, said Nigeria must prioritise health security in view of growing healthcare demands, vulnerabilities in medicine supply, emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce dependence on external sources for essential medicines and critical pharmaceutical technologies.
Baale said, “A nation’s health security is inseparable from its economic security, scientific capability and national sovereignty. No country can claim genuine independence while remaining dangerously dependent on external sources for its essential medicines, critical pharmaceutical technologies and healthcare innovations.”
He stressed that Nigeria must move from dependence to capability and adopt integrated solutions capable of strengthening the country’s healthcare resilience.
“Pharmacy must not merely respond to the future of healthcare; it must help design, shape and secure that future,” he added.
The Academy president further emphasised the importance of collaboration among government, academia, pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulatory institutions, healthcare professionals and development partners to translate scientific knowledge into measurable improvements in population health.
Another major highlight of the programme will be the investiture of new Fellows into the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in recognition of their professional achievements, scholarship, leadership, innovation and contributions to pharmacy and society.
Baale described the fellowship as both an honour and a responsibility, urging the new Fellows to contribute to national development through innovation, mentorship and policy advocacy.
“Fellowship of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is not simply an honour to be received; it is a responsibility to be discharged. Our Fellows must be architects of solutions, champions of innovation, mentors of future generations and courageous voices for policies that improve the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he said.
The Academy noted that the admission of new Fellows would further strengthen its capacity to promote scientific advancement, professional standards and evidence-informed guidance on issues affecting national health and development.
The AGM will hold on Monday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Business School Netherlands, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, with participation restricted to Academy Fellows.
The investiture ceremony and keynote address will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos. The event will be open to members of the public.
NAPharm has invited policymakers, healthcare institution leaders, pharmaceutical industry executives, researchers, professional associations, development partners and members of the media to participate in the ceremony.
The Academy maintained that achieving universal health coverage, medicine security and sustainable healthcare would require coordinated national efforts in pharmaceutical research and development, local medicine production, workforce development, technology adoption and stronger health systems.
It added that policies capable of encouraging investment and innovation would be critical to building a self-reliant healthcare system.
The Academy reiterated its commitment to advancing a healthier, more innovative, resilient and prosperous Nigeria through pharmaceutical excellence and strategic national collaboration.
