The Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Dr. Prosper Hiag, has reaffirmed the global pharmacy community’s confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, calling for renewed cooperation, innovation, and a future-ready workforce capable of sustaining healthcare transformation across Africa.

Dr. Hiag delivered the message on Tuesday, October 4, 2025 at the opening ceremony of the 98th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged 'DABO 2025', held at the Convocation Hall, Bayero University, Kano.

The remarks, which drew enthusiastic applause from professionals across Nigeria and delegates from several countries, underscored the significance of the gathering — one of the largest pharmaceutical assemblies in Africa this year.

He described the conference as “a historic assembly of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, medical professionals, manufacturers, importers, and investors,” adding that the turnout from home and abroad reflects “the prospering and expanding power of pharmacy in Nigeria and throughout Africa.”

Speaking on behalf of FIP, Dr. Hiag conveyed the organisation’s warm felicitations to the PSN, noting that the 2025 theme — “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration, and Transformation” perfectly aligns with FIP’s global mission of ensuring safe, effective medicines and high-quality care delivered by a skilled and collaborative workforce.

According to him, Kano’s rich historical identity and position in pharmaceutical and commercial development makes it a symbolic ground for reflection on the future of health systems, especially in areas of resilience, digital health, inclusive access to medicines, and improved pharmaceutical care.

“Kano provides a unique opportunity to reflect on how pharmacy could open new paths for health-system resilience, innovation, and inclusive access to quality medicine for all,” he said.

“We look forward to the insights and outcomes of DABO 2025, particularly how the Nigerian and wider African pharmaceutical workforce is evolving and contributing to universal health coverage, patient-centred care, supply-chain security and digital transformation.”

Dr. Hiag emphasized FIP’s appreciation for being part of such a significant milestone in the Nigerian pharmacy calendar and assured participants of the federation’s continued collaboration with PSN in shaping Africa’s pharmaceutical future.

He concluded his address with a message of optimism and a call to action: “May DABO 2025 serve as an impulse for renewed vision, improved cooperation and innovative action throughout Nigeria’s pharmacy sector and beyond,” he said.