The ancient city of Kano became the focal point of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical ecosystem as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) hosted its 98th Annual National Conference, tagged "DABO 2025," from November 3 to 8, 2025.
Held under the theme “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration, and Transformation,” the week-long conference convened pharmacists, policymakers, regulators, academics, industry leaders, development partners, and global stakeholders to interrogate the present state of pharmacy practice while designing a roadmap for its future relevance.
From professional networking and high-level policy dialogue to scientific discourse, spiritual reflection, cultural immersion, and social bonding, DABO 2025 delivered a holistic conference experience that reflected the evolving identity of pharmacy in Nigeria.
Activities commenced on Monday, November 3, 2025, with a Special Golf Tournament at the prestigious Kano Golf Club, officially setting the tone for the conference.
Far beyond recreation, the tournament served as a strategic networking platform, bringing together leaders from healthcare, pharmaceutical practice, policy, and industry in a relaxed yet purposeful environment. Conversations flowed freely, relationships were rekindled, and professional bonds were strengthened ahead of the week’s intensive engagements.
Prominent participants included PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; past PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai; Chairman, Board of Fellows (PSN), Pharm. Uchenna Apakama; and MD/CEO Alpha Pharmacy & Stores, Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, among several others. The Kano State Government was represented by Dr. Garba, Special Adviser to the Governor.
Representing the Governor, Dr. Garba commended PSN for incorporating wellness and sports into its annual conference, noting that such initiatives promote unity, healthy living, and collaboration among professionals critical to healthcare delivery. He assured the Society of Kano State’s continued support for initiatives that advance public health and professional development.
The Opening Ceremony, held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Convocation Hall, Bayero University, Kano, marked the official launch of DABO 2025.
The event witnessed an unprecedented convergence of policymakers, regulators, pharmacy icons, industry leaders, academics, development partners, military officers, and traditional institutions, reinforcing the strategic importance of pharmacy in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture.
In his welcome address, Pharm. Murtala Umar, Chairman of PSN Kano State, highlighted the conference’s immediate impact on the host community through a large-scale medical outreach conducted in collaboration with five NGOs. According to him, the outreach attended to 3,356 patients, carried out 86 free surgeries, diagnosed 28 tuberculosis cases, distributed 156 reading glasses, and provided medicines to over 1,000 beneficiaries.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Friday Enaholo, described DABO 2025 as a defining moment, stressing that pharmacy must now embrace digital innovation, patient-centred care, and multidisciplinary collaboration to remain relevant in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
In his presidential address, PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to repositioning pharmacy practice for national and global relevance.
He outlined key milestones recorded during the 2024/2025 administrative year, including:
• The nationwide discontinuation of Pharmacy Technologist training, achieved through collaboration with the PCN, Federal Ministry of Health, and NBTE
• A landmark High Court ruling affirming PCN’s regulatory authority over veterinary medicines
• Improved welfare outcomes such as payment of CONHESS arrears, call-duty allowances, inclusion of consultant pharmacists on IPPIS, and an extended retirement age
• Ongoing reforms to make Pharm.D the minimum qualification, harmonize postgraduate pathways, and establish a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy
Urging delegates to fully internalize the conference experience, he said: “Let this conference pass through you, as you pass through it.”
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. (Pharm.) Chinedum Peace Babalola, former Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, delivered a deeply reflective and intellectually compelling charge.
She challenged pharmacists to transition from dispensing to decision-making, from product delivery to value creation, and from static practice to innovation-driven leadership. Warning against professional complacency, she highlighted disruptive technologies such as AI-driven drug safety, telepharmacy, and 3D drug printing, stressing that failure to adapt would render traditional practice obsolete.
She concluded with ten imperatives for sustaining pharmacy’s relevance, earning a standing ovation from delegates.
The morning of Wednesday, November 5, began with a Christian Pharmacists Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) session, where pharmacists gathered for prayer, worship, and spiritual reflection, committing the conference, the profession, and personal lives into God’s hands.
Later in the day, Scientific Session I, themed “Partners in Discovery: How Pharmacists Shaped My Journey Toward Novel Cancer Drugs,” was delivered by Prof. Sarki Abba Abdulkadir, who underscored pharmacists’ indispensable role in cancer research, drug discovery, and therapeutic innovation.
The day also featured panel and plenary sessions focused on technology-driven practice, medicine access, supply chain integrity, and regulatory reforms—drawing insights from academia, industry, and regulatory authorities.
The evening of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, witnessed one of the most memorable highlights of DABO 2025 as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria hosted a spectacular Gala Night in Kano.
The elegantly decorated venue came alive with colour, rhythm, and pageantry, offering delegates an immersive cultural experience that reflected the heritage, hospitality, and artistic richness of the ancient city. The night served as a deliberate pause from the intensity of technical sessions, allowing participants to unwind, connect, and celebrate the shared identity of the pharmacy profession.
Guests were treated to captivating traditional dance performances, carefully curated cultural displays, and a rich selection of local and continental cuisines that showcased Kano’s culinary diversity. The ambience blended professionalism with festivity, as pharmacists from different practice areas and regions mingled freely, strengthened networks, and forged new relationships in a relaxed setting.
Beyond entertainment, the Gala Night reinforced unity within the profession, providing a platform where senior practitioners, young pharmacists, policymakers, and industry partners interacted as one community. The event stood as a reminder that collaboration, mutual respect, and cultural appreciation remain vital to sustaining professional excellence.
On Thursday, November 6, Scientific Session II focused on Pharmacy in the Digital Age, delivered by Pharm. Oladepo Lawal-Solarin. The session traced the evolution of digital technology from the 1960s to the current AI era, highlighting how data analytics, fintech, and digital health platforms are transforming healthcare delivery and pharmacy practice.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday, November 7, provided a statutory platform for reviewing PSN’s activities, receiving reports from technical groups, discussing challenges across states, and setting priorities for the coming year.
The 98th Annual National Conference of PSN, DABO 2025, was formally brought to a close on Friday, November 7, 2025, with a glamorous Closing Dinner and Banquet in Kano.
As is tradition, the banquet marked the symbolic end of a week-long programme filled with robust scientific discussions, policy dialogues, advocacy engagements, and professional reflections. The evening provided a relaxed atmosphere for delegates to reflect on the conference’s outcomes while celebrating achievements and strengthening bonds within the pharmaceutical community.
The night featured fine dining, music, dance, and lively social interaction, creating an atmosphere of the joy, gratitude, and professional pride. Delegates described the banquet as a fitting conclusion to a conference that was both intellectually stimulating and emotionally fulfilling.
A key highlight of the night was the presentation of awards and recognitions to individuals and groups who demonstrated excellence and outstanding contributions to the profession. Award categories spanned scientific research, group performance, professional leadership, and sporting excellence, reinforcing PSN’s culture of merit, innovation, and service.
Another defining moment of the evening was the symbolic handover ceremony, during which hosting rights were officially transferred from Kano State (DABO 2025) to Anambra State, host of the 99th PSN Annual National Conference, IJELE 2026. The handover generated excitement and high expectations, with representatives of Anambra State promising an even more dynamic and culturally rich conference.
The closing banquet ultimately served not only as a celebration but also as a reaffirmation of unity, continuity, and collective responsibility. It underscored the enduring spirit of PSN and the shared commitment of pharmacists to advancing healthcare delivery, professional excellence, and national development.
As the curtains fell on DABO 2025, one message resonated clearly: pharmacy in Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads. Through dialogue, innovation, unity, and vision, the conference documented not just where the profession is—but where it must go.
DABO 2025 will be remembered not merely as a conference, but as a turning point in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical journey.
