The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, formally opened its 98th Annual National Conference, tagged 'DABO 2025', with a resounding commitment to building a future-ready pharmacy workforce capable of driving innovation, digital transformation, and improved healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

Held at the Convocation Hall, Bayero University, Kano, the opening ceremony drew an unprecedented convergence of policymakers, pharmacy icons, regulators, industry leaders, academics, development partners and the leadership of all technical and interest groups in the profession.

This year’s theme, “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration, and Transformation,” sets the tone for critical conversations around workforce preparedness, interprofessional collaboration, digital adaptation and the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Dignitaries who graced the event include the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by Alh. Abdullahi Musa, Head of Service, alongside PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, and all living ancestors of the Society —Alhaji Mohammed Yaro Budah, Dr. U.N.O. Uwaga, Sir Anthony Akhimien, Pharm. Azubike Okwor, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai and Pharm. (Prof.) Cyril Odianose Usifoh.

Also present were Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola (Keynote Speaker); Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Leader of the Senate, represented by Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, MD/CEO NEPZA; Hajiya Wosilat O. Giwa, Chairperson, PCN Governing Council; Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu, Registrar, PCN; Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, DG, NAFDAC, represented by Dr. Rametu Momodu; Pharm. (Dr.) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director, Food & Drugs, Federal Ministry of Health; and Prof. Haruna Musa, Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, represented by Prof. Sani.

Also in attendance were leaders of all PSN technical and interest groups —Pharm. Uchenna Apakama (BOF-PSN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose (ACPN), Pharm. Elechi Oyim (AHAPN), Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Ezebuilo (NAIP), Pharm. (Prof.) Catherine Nonyelum Stanley (NAPA), Pharm. Scholastica Lan (ALPs), and Pharm. (Dr.) Maureen Nwafor (CPAN) — as well as Pharm. Kunle Tometi, President, NAPPSA; Dr. Teresa Isichei Pounds, President/Founder, WASPEN; Pharm. Emmanuel Ezirim, Immediate Past President, NAPPSA; Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, JOHESU National Chairman; Dr. Okey Akpa, President, Federation of Nigeria Pharmaceutical Industry Association; and Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, MD/CEO Alpha Pharmacy & Stores, alongside military officers, royal fathers, pharmacy faculty deans and stakeholders across the health sector.

In his welcome remarks, Pharm. Murtala Umar, PSN Kano State Chairman, revealed that the conference had already impacted the host community through a large-scale medical outreach conducted in partnership with five NGOs.

“We attended to 3,356 patients, performed 86 free surgeries, provided 156 reading glasses, diagnosed 28 tuberculosis cases, and gave out medicines to more than 1,000 beneficiaries,” he said, assuring delegates that Kano would offer an unforgettable cultural, social and professional experience.

Pharm. Friday Enaholo, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), described DABO 2025 as a turning point in the profession, noting that pharmacy is at a critical moment where digital innovation, patient-centered care and multidisciplinary partnership must define practice going forward.

Representing the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, MD/CEO NEPZA, pledged the Agency’s readiness to collaborate with PSN in expanding pharmaceutical industrialization through Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones, stressing: “With the right support and infrastructure, Nigeria can become a global hub for high-quality pharmaceutical production, research and innovation.”

In a reflective goodwill message, Hajiya Wosilat O. Giwa challenged pharmacists to revive the spirit of unity and professional resilience that once defined the profession, saying: “Let us awaken the memory of what pharmacists used to be — strong, united and protective of the profession.”

Pharm. Kunle Tometi, NAPPSA President, emphasized the urgency of global competitiveness, saying digital technology now drives every sphere of practice and pharmacists must collaborate across borders to remain relevant.

In his presidential address, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, President of PSN, reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to far-reaching reforms that will reposition the pharmacy workforce for global relevance.

He announced that the 2024/2025 administrative year recorded key progress in regulation, welfare and policy advocacy — including the nationwide discontinuation of Pharmacy Technologist training, achieved through a historic agreement with the PCN, Federal Ministry of Health and NBTE.

He also celebrated the October 29, 2025 High Court ruling in Calabar that reaffirmed PCN’s full regulatory control over veterinary medicines, ending a long-standing dispute with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

On welfare, he highlighted the payment of 25–35% CONHESS salary arrears, 4% call-duty allowance for Pharm.D holders, the inclusion of consultant pharmacists on IPPIS, and the newly approved retirement age of 65 for pharmacists and 70 for consultant pharmacists.

He further disclosed that PSN is working to make the Pharm.D the minimum qualification for practice, harmonize Ph.D and Fellowship routes, and establish a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy for advanced clinical and academic training.

“Let this conference pass through you, as you pass through it,” he told delegates, urging pharmacists to embrace change, collaboration and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, Alh. Abdullahi Musa, Head of Service, Kano welcomed delegates to “a state of commerce, humility and hospitality,” noting that the conference theme aligns with the state government’s commitment to building a high-performing, future-focused workforce.

He described the governor as “a health-friendly leader who has upgraded general hospitals, ensured consistent medicines availability, and established the Kano State drug warehouse to strengthen healthcare delivery.”

Delivering the keynote address, former Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Pharm. (Prof.) Chinedum Peace Babalola, issued a powerful charge for the profession to reclaim leadership in healthcare through clinical depth, innovation and digital intelligence.

She insisted that pharmacists must transition “from dispensing to decision-making; from counting tablets to counting impact,” warning that technological advancements — including AI-driven drug safety, 3D drug printing and telepharmacy — will render static practice obsolete.

She described the modern pharmacist as a clinician, innovator and system reformer, calling for curriculum reform, deeper interprofessional collaboration and full integration of community pharmacies into Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare structure.

Citing recent data, she revealed that 63% of community pharmacists in Lagos already use telepharmacy, proving that digital disruption is already reshaping practice.

She ended with ten imperatives for sustaining pharmacy’s relevance — including innovation, ethics, research, policy engagement, patient-centered care and fair remuneration — earning a standing ovation from delegates.

The opening ceremony set a firm tone for what many described as one of the most crucial gatherings in PSN history. With powerful calls for reform, innovation, collaboration and professional identity renewal, delegates expressed optimism that DABO 2025 will not only inspire conversation, but catalyze real transformation across the pharmacy profession.