UNIZIK ADVANCEMENT
UNIZIK VC Reaffirms Commitment to Building Nigeria’s Best Pharmacy Faculty
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has commended Nnamdi Azikiwe University for its continued support towards the training and professional integration of foreign-trained pharmacists into the Nigerian healthcare system.
The Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, (PCN) Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, led some members of the council, with members of the Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences in NAU and other Deans of pharmacy Schools on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, following their arrival at the University for the Second cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP)
Prof. Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for receiving the delegation and commended the University for being selected as one of the two centres for the current cycle of the orientation programme.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Agulu Campus won the hosting rights (South) as the PCN –designated centre for the second cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP). Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is the hosting centre for the Northern region.
He noted that the Council had repeatedly chosen UNIZIK to host the programme because of the quality of its facilities and its suitability for exposing foreign-trained pharmacists to the realities of pharmacy practice and jurisprudence in Nigeria.
Prof Ahmed disclosed that the programme lasting 16 weeks would commence with eligibility interviews and examinations for the participants, after which successful candidates would proceed with the orientation programme. He added that candidates who are unsuccessful would be required to prepare for another cycle, while those who fail repeatedly may be required to undertake a remedial programme.
The Registrar also commended the University’s participation in the TETFund-supported initiatives aimed at increasing admission quotas across Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing. He expressed hope that the University would provide the necessary facilities and resources to support the proposed increase, assuring that the Council would continue to work with the University to strengthen the four professional programmes.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, expressed appreciation to the Pharmacy Council for finding the University worthy of hosting the programme and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing the Faculty of Pharmacy into one of the best in Nigeria.
Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that the University had already taken steps towards expanding the Faculty, noting that Pharmacy had been integrated into the newly created College of Health Sciences as part of the University’s restructuring and expansion plans. He added that the University was also open to establishing a standalone College of Pharmacy when necessary.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the delegation that the University would continue to improve the facilities available to the Faculty, noting that plans were underway to expand its Computer-Based Test (CBT) capacity, improve student accommodation and provide reliable power supply, including solar-powered facilities and dedicated reading spaces.
Prof. Anyaehie further stressed that the University would ensure that facilities were adequate before increasing student admission quotas, noting that the goal was to provide students with a conducive environment for learning and training. He assured the Pharmacy Council of the University’s readiness to support the programme and contribute to the development of pharmacy education and professional training in Nigeria.
Dean, UNIZIK Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof Sunday O. Nduka who is the hosting Dean for the programme commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anyaehie for his commitment towards achieving excellence in the Agulu campus of the Faculty through his gracious approval of various projects of the Faculty.
Prof. Nduka expressed delight with the development noting that the hosting right for the entire southern Nigeria granted to UNIZIK by the PCN for the orientation programme holds lots of prospects for the Faculty and the University.
Other members of the delegation include: Pharm (Mrs) Fechi Njoku, Director/State Officer-in-Charge, PCN, Anambra State; Pharm Nnadi Tochukwu, PCN, Abuja; Prof Maxwell Adibe, Dean of Pharmacy, UNN; Prof Theophine Akunne, Dean of Pharmacy, COOU; Prof Ibge Ighodaro, Dean of Pharmacy, UNIBEN; Prof Festus B. C. Okoye; Prof Malady C. Ugwu and Prof Chika Abba.
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