The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) has urged the Federal Government to urgently address the growing shortage of academic pharmacists in the country.
Prof. Catherine Stanley, National Chairperson of NAPA, made the appeal on Wednesday at the opening of the 23rd Annual National Scientific Conference of the association, held at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
The event had the theme: “Pharmacy Practice in the New Global Economy: Education, Technology and Collaborations.”
Stanley attributed the shortage of pharmacists in academia to the increasing migration of young professionals to Europe and North America in search of better opportunities.
She described pharmacists in academia as “an endangered species,” citing their migration abroad as well as the lack of replacements for retirees and deceased colleagues.
“There is an acute shortage of needed manpower in critical sectors of pharmacy education. This trend should not be allowed to continue,” she pleaded.
Stanley urged the government to prioritise the welfare of academic pharmacists to ensure the sustainability of pharmaceutical education and research, warning that the current situation poses a threat to the future of pharmacy training and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Delivering a keynote address, Prof. Charles Esimone, former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu, attributed the dearth of pharmacists to emerging global challenges confronting the profession.
Discussing the theme of the conference, Esimone noted that globalisation was reshaping education and healthcare, stressing the need to balance local requirements with a global outlook.
“This realisation has fuelled a push towards purposeful best practices in curriculum development, faculty exchanges, and addressing regulatory issues across borders. Our curricula must train pharmacists to be effective both locally and globally—able to understand local health traditions while applying international standards,” he said.
He explained that the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and other global bodies are developing a Global Competency Framework to harmonise pharmacist training worldwide, aligning education with the competences required to deliver essential services in any country.
Esimone also highlighted the impact of technology, which is transforming every aspect of pharmacy practice—from dispensing processes to patient counselling.
“Pharmacies have increasingly embraced digital health tools, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their services. However, technology in pharmacy is a double-edged sword. It can greatly enhance our practice but must be wielded with care,” he cautioned.
In his remarks, UNIPORT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Chukwudi Onyeasor, called on pharmacists in academia to adopt practical and innovative approaches that would transform pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.
“Practitioners must move beyond theoretical discourse, embrace technology, strengthen collaborations, and align pharmacy with global standards. This is necessary to produce professionals equipped to serve a rapidly evolving healthcare system,” he said.
The conference brought together pharmacists, researchers, educators, and policymakers from across the country to explore innovations and strategies for advancing pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.
