PHOTO:(L-R) Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho (SAN) – Legal Adviser, Prof. Lere Baale – President and Chairman of Council, Mr Wale Oyedeji – Group Managing Director First Holdco PLC & Keynote Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Yakassai – Vice President, Pharm. Lekan Asuni – Secretary General, and Adj Prof. Abiodun Osiyemi – of Babcock Business School. At the 2025 Investiture of Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy.
The Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) convened its 2025 Annual General Meeting at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, for a significant gathering that blended celebration of the future with tribute to a legendary past.
The event featured the induction of fourteen distinguished pharmacists as Fellows. It included a heartfelt valedictory session honouring the late Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, CON, the Academy’s founding President, who passed away in September 2025 at the age of 97. Chief Akinkugbe was celebrated as a titan of the profession, a pioneering entrepreneur, and a mentor whose integrity and vision shaped generations.
He passed away peacefully on 22 September 2025, at the age of 97. A devoted family man, Chief Akinkugbe died 11 days after his wife of 70 years. Survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He played key founding roles in Palm Chemists Ltd, Spectrum Books Ltd, and Vitalink Pharmaceutical Industries, among others. His corporate footprint spanned banking, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and publishing.
He held leadership roles in numerous major corporations, including as Chairman of West African Portland Cement Company, Procter & Gamble Nigeria Plc, and Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria). He also served as a Director of Barclays Bank Nigeria (now Union Bank), Nigerian Tobacco Company, Fan Milk, and IBTC Chartered Bank Plc. This extensive influence earned him the enduring nickname, “Chairman of Chairmen”.
He began his career at the Lagos General Hospital and later worked at the Central Medical Stores. At just 22 years old, he was persuaded to become the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP), where he successfully advocated for better pay and conditions for pharmacists nationally. After the NUP was dissolved, he joined the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), eventually becoming its fourth President. His leadership earned him a position on the Council and Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association.
The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include Pharm. Dr Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Adenike Olubisi Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi, Pharm. Dr Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty; Pharm. Dr Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; Pharm. Dr Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.
Four Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The three Lifetime Achievements Awardees were Pharm Prof Gabriel Osuide, Pharm Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr Fidelis Ayebae.
In his keynote address, Mr Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of FirstHoldCo Plc, delivered a robust discourse on “Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.” Mr Oyedeji positioned pharmaceutical innovation as a cornerstone for economic diversification, job creation, and national health security, calling for a unified strategy across government, industry, and academia.
“Pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs,” he stated, “but also about creating an ecosystem that supports knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.”
A Gathering of Excellence and Unity
The event drew a constellation of distinguished personalities from academia, industry, and government, including Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, FPSN, Founding President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy; Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC; Pharm. Sir Ike Onyechi, FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm; Pharm. (Chief) Olubunmi Olaopa, FPSN; Pharm. Prof. Fola Tayo, MFR, FPSN; Pharm. Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, OFR, FPSN.
The event featured moments of reflection, inspiring speeches, awards, and musical interludes that highlighted the profession’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Baale noted, “Pharmacy holds the power to shape the future of Nigeria’s healthcare, innovation, and industrial growth. When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are not just advancing science — we are securing our nation’s health, economy, and dignity.”
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and policy advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems and inspire the next generation of innovators.
About the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy
The Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) is a professional organisation that unites distinguished pharmacists to promote the profession and contribute to national healthcare development.
NAPharm’s mission is to foster excellence in pharmaceutical education, practice, and research to improve public health outcomes.
Founded on June 26, 2014, the Academy functions as a think tank for pharmaceutical policy and as a fellowship of recognised leaders in the field. Its core aim is to boost the significance of pharmacy in Nigeria through strategic advocacy, thought leadership, and interprofessional collaboration.
Its work is structured around five strategic pillars for 2025–2035.
Knowledge & Thought Leadership: Shaping education, practice, and policy through research and position papers.
Professional Excellence: Setting benchmarks for ethics and promoting lifelong learning.
Mentorship & Youth Empowerment: Building a pipeline of future pharmaceutical leaders.
Health System Strengthening: Championing medicine security and the role of pharmacists in primary care.
Partnerships & Global Positioning: Collaborating with international bodies like the WHO and the FIP.