In a momentous occasion held on April 26, 2025, Dr. Nwafor Maureen Ngozi was elected as the National Chairman of the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (CPAN) during a special emergency Annual General Meeting in Owerri, Imo State. Dr. Nwafor, a distinguished Consultant Clinical Pharmacist, was welcomed with enthusiasm and hope from her colleagues in the pharmacy community.

Dr. Nwafor's illustrious career is marked by her specialization in Critical Care Pharmacy, where she oversees the General Intensive Care Unit, Cardiothoracic ICU Pharmacy, Cath Lab, and Anticoagulation Therapy Management at the National Cardiothoracic Center of Excellence, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Ituku-Ozalla Enugu. Additionally, she is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), further solidifying her commitment to advancing pharmaceutical care.

Holding an impressive educational background with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from UNN, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Benin, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy and an MBA from UNN, Dr. Nwafor exemplifies academic excellence. Her recognition as a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) and her extensive training in Critical Care and Cardiology from renowned institutions in the United States underscore her dedication to her field.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Nwafor expressed her gratitude stating, "We stand before you today with a profound sense of gratitude and humility as we accept the responsibility of this leadership position. We are deeply honored by the trust you have placed in us, and we are excited about the journey that lies ahead." She emphasized her and her executive team's commitment to uphold the aims and objectives of CPAN, focusing on advancing direct patient care through clinical pharmacy practice, research, and education.

Dr. Nwafor outlined her vision for her tenure, saying, "Our areas of concentration shall include encouraging specialization in the various specialty areas of clinical pharmacy, strengthening our various state arms, engaging members in more training in relevant practice clinical skills, and building collaborative bridges with relevant stakeholders and institutions within and outside Nigeria."

Her leadership journey is set against a backdrop of extensive contributions to the field, having published over twenty-five papers and presented at numerous local and international conferences. Dr. Nwafor has also held various key positions within the pharmacy community, including serving as the National Vice Chairman and the Coordinator of CPAN Enugu State, showcasing her deep commitment to professional development and advocacy for the pharmacy profession.

Recognized for her excellence, Dr. Nwafor has received several awards, including the Award of Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy Practice by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals at the PSN National Conference in November 2018 and the Biogeneric Award of Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy in November 2019.

As Dr. Nwafor steps into this significant leadership role, colleagues and members of CPAN are optimistic about her vision and are eager to support her in achieving the association's goals. Dr. Nwafor, happily married and a mother, balances her professional commitments with her love for reading Christian books and traveling. Her dedication to her family, faith, and profession continues to inspire her peers and the next generation of pharmacists in Nigeria.

With her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to clinical pharmacy, Dr. Nwafor's tenure as the National Chairman promises to usher in a new era of growth and advancement for CPAN and the pharmacy profession in Nigeria.