PCN Commends UNIZIK for Supporting Foreign-Trained Pharmacists’ Integration into Nigeria’s Healthcare System

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has commended Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, for its continued support towards the training and professional integration of foreign-trained pharmacists into the Nigerian healthcare system.

The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, led members of the Council, alongside members of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIZIK, and other Deans of Pharmacy Schools, on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie.

The visit followed the delegation’s arrival at the University for the second cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP).

Pharm. Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for receiving the delegation and commended the University for being selected as one of the two centres for the current cycle of the orientation programme.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu Campus, secured the hosting rights for the Southern region as the PCN-designated centre for the second cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is the designated hosting centre for the Northern region.

The PCN Registrar noted that the Council had repeatedly selected UNIZIK to host the programme because of the quality of its facilities and its suitability for exposing foreign-trained pharmacists to the realities of pharmacy practice and jurisprudence in Nigeria.

Pharm. Ahmed disclosed that the 16-week programme would commence with eligibility interviews and examinations for participants, after which successful candidates would proceed with the orientation programme.

He added that candidates who are unsuccessful would be required to prepare for another cycle, while those who fail repeatedly may be required to undertake a remedial programme.

The Registrar also commended the University’s participation in TETFund-supported initiatives aimed at increasing admission quotas across Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing.

He expressed hope that the University would provide the necessary facilities and resources to support the proposed increase in admission quotas, assuring that the Council would continue to work with the University to strengthen the four professional programmes.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, expressed appreciation to the Pharmacy Council for finding UNIZIK worthy of hosting the programme.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences into one of the best in Nigeria.

Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that the University had already commenced steps towards expanding the Faculty, noting that Pharmacy had been integrated into the newly created College of Health Sciences as part of the University’s restructuring and expansion plans.

He added that the University was also open to establishing a standalone College of Pharmacy when necessary.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the delegation that the University would continue to improve the facilities available to the Faculty.

He disclosed that plans were underway to expand the University’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) capacity, improve student accommodation and provide reliable power supply, including solar-powered facilities and dedicated reading spaces.

Prof. Anyaehie further stressed that the University would ensure that adequate facilities were available before increasing student admission quotas.

He explained that the goal was to provide students with a conducive environment for learning and professional training.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the Pharmacy Council of the University’s readiness to support the orientation programme and contribute to the development of pharmacy education and professional training in Nigeria.

The Dean of the UNIZIK Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and hosting Dean for the programme, Prof. Sunday O. Nduka, commended Prof. Anyaehie for his commitment to achieving excellence at the Agulu Campus of the Faculty through his approval of various projects.

Prof. Nduka expressed delight over the development, noting that the hosting rights for the entire Southern Nigeria granted to UNIZIK by the PCN for the orientation programme held significant prospects for both the Faculty and the University.