Nigeria Approves First Pharmacy College in Adamawa State

Nigeria is investing in homegrown healthcare talent with a new pharmacy college that could change how the nation trains its medical workforce.

Adamawa State government approved the establishment of a College of Pharmacy at Adamawa State University in Mubi, following sustained advocacy by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. The announcement came during the 2026 Pharmacy Colloquium in Yola, where healthcare leaders gathered to discuss the future of pharmaceutical education.

The college represents more than just another academic institution. PSN President Ayuba Ibrahim emphasized that pharmacy education must become "a strategic national investment" rather than routine academics, pointing to Nigeria's heavy reliance on imported medicines as a critical vulnerability.

The timing matters because Nigeria continues struggling with healthcare workforce shortages and limited domestic drug production. Stakeholders believe this college could serve as a model for other states facing similar gaps in medical training infrastructure.

Healthcare leaders at the colloquium didn't stop at celebrating the college approval. They outlined an ambitious roadmap that includes accelerating the Doctor of Pharmacy program nationwide and strengthening the National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy to build a more skilled pharmaceutical workforce.

Former PSN President Cyril Usifoh called for a fundamental shift in how pharmacy students learn. He identified a troubling gap between academic credentials and actual patient care outcomes, advocating for competency-based training that emphasizes critical thinking and patient-centered care over memorization.

The reform push also includes integrating artificial intelligence and digital health systems into pharmacy curricula to meet global standards. Leaders stressed that Nigerian pharmacists need training in emerging technologies to compete internationally while staying home to serve their communities.

The Ripple Effect

This college approval could trigger a chain reaction across Nigeria's healthcare landscape. By training pharmacists locally with modern skills, the country moves closer to producing its own medicines from indigenous plants, potentially turning biodiversity into economic opportunity.

The reforms aim to address a painful trend: medical professionals leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad. Improved training infrastructure and career progression, including protecting the Consultant Pharmacist position, could give healthcare workers reasons to stay.

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act 2022 provides the regulatory framework to ensure these changes stick. The law strengthens accountability in how public healthcare resources get used while maintaining oversight to protect patient safety.

Colloquium participants agreed on one point: without sustained investment in education, research, and local drug manufacturing, Nigeria's health security remains vulnerable. But with deliberate funding and political will, the country could build a pharmaceutical sector that serves its 200 million people without depending on imports.

One new college in Adamawa State won't solve Nigeria's healthcare challenges overnight, but it signals that leaders are finally treating medical education as the strategic priority it deserves to be.