University of Ibadan (UI) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Commends Pharmacy Faculty for Sustaining Drug Development Centre, Inaugurates New Board

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, has lauded the Faculty of Pharmacy for successfully sustaining the Centre for Drug Discovery, Development, and Production (CDDDP) beyond the expiration of the MacArthur Foundation Grant. He urged the faculty to continue advancing the Centre's objectives, ensuring its growth and sustainability.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, during the inauguration of a new board for the CDDDP, Olapegba emphasized the importance of fostering collaborations with pharmaceutical industries and strengthening town-gown relationships. He noted that such partnerships would help generate the needed funds to keep the Centre on its upward trajectory. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor further reassured the newly inaugurated board of the university’s unwavering support towards achieving the Centre’s goals.

In his speech, Professor Olapegba outlined key expectations for the new board, highlighting the importance of leveraging industry partnerships to enhance the Centre's capacity for drug research and production. "The Centre must not only remain functional but also continue to expand its reach and impact in drug discovery and production," he stated.

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Titilayo O. Fakeye, provided insights into the Centre’s origins, noting that it was established in 2011 with a grant from the MacArthur Foundation as a Centre of Excellence in drug discovery, development, and production. She detailed the Centre’s accomplishments, including a collaboration with Purdue University in the United States, which facilitated the training of six academic staff from the faculty at the Kilimanjaro School of Pharmacy in Tanzania. These staff members were drawn from across six departments, marking a significant step in capacity building and advancing drug research expertise.

The newly inaugurated board for the CDDDP comprises highly esteemed professionals with a wealth of experience. Pharmacist Jimoh Rahman Bioku, FPSN, an alumnus of the Faculty of Pharmacy, will serve as the board’s chairman. Other board members include:

• Prof. R. Adisa – Director, CDDDP
• Prof. O. A. Itiola – Immediate Past Director
• Prof. Titilayo O. Fakeye – Dean of Pharmacy
• Prof. O. E. Adeleke – Member
• Prof. Oyindamola Abiodun – Member
• Dr. Temitayo O. Ajayi – Member
• Dr. Olufunke D. Akin-Ajani – Member
• Dr. S. A. Aderibigbe – Member
• Dr. Wuraola Akande-Sholabi – Member
• Pharm. Nasirudeen Jimoh – External Member
• Mrs. Chinyere B. Alawode – Secretary

Pharmacist Bioku, in his remarks, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve both the university and the larger community. He pledged the board’s commitment to enhancing the Centre’s research and development facilities, noting that plans were underway to establish a facility that meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards for pilot manufacturing and quality assurance of medicines circulating in the sub-region.

The CDDDP has made significant strides in expanding its academic programs since its inception. In 2013, the Centre introduced a Postgraduate Diploma in Drug Development, and by the 2017/2018 academic session, it commenced an M.Sc. program in Drug Development and Regulatory Pharmacy through a special part-time hybrid mode. Looking ahead, the Centre is preparing to launch a Ph.D. program in Drug Development and Regulatory Pharmacy, further solidifying its role as a leader in pharmaceutical education and research in Nigeria and beyond.