The 26th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), tagged "EDO 2025," commenced on August 5, 2025, with an impressive opening ceremony held at the SIO Event Center in Benin City, Edo State.
This year's theme, "Innovations in Pharmaceutical Care Delivery for Equitable Patient Healthcare," attracted a diverse array of prominent figures, including government officials, healthcare professionals, academics, traditional rulers, retired pharmacists, policy makers, clinicians, technologists, and distinguished members of the pharmaceutical industry.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including the Executive Governor of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Edo State; Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), represented by Prof. Henry Okeri, Deputy President, PSN South; Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed, Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN); Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, the Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Edo State, represented by Mr. Igberaese George, the former Permanent Secretary at Human Resource Management.
Other Captains of the Pharmaceutical Industry present include: Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, National Chairman of ACPN, represented by Dr. Allen Iboi, Chairman ACPN, Edo State; Pharm. (Dr.) Maureen Nwafor, National Chairman of CPAN; Pharm. Kenny Okojie, Executive Secretary of the Edo Drug Management and Health Commodities Agency; Pharm. Scholastica Mnena Lan, National Chairman of ALPs, represented by Vice Chairman South South, Pharm. Ruth; Prof. Darlington Ewaen Obaseki, CMD of UniBen Teaching Hospital; His Royal Majesty, Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II; Pharm. (Dr.) Ishola, Chairman of COMHPFHI; and Prof. Azuka Okparah, Former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Benin.
In his opening remarks, the Local Organizing Committee Chairman, represented by Prof. Darlington Ewaen Obaseki, welcomed participants and expressed gratitude for choosing Benin for this years conference. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in healthcare, stating, The pharmacy profession is a noble one, and we must work as a team to achieve success in our health sector. Pharmacists are the custodians of drugs; the entire value chain of drugs is the responsibility of pharmacists, and we must allow them to guide us.
Pharm. Emmanuel Igechi, the Chairman of AHAPN, Edo State, expressed his gratitude to the Edo State government and the support of royal fathers, stating, “I want to thank the Edo State government for empowering this initiative and for all the support that has been extended. We want to announce that this is a very pharmacy-friendly region where many education and administration policies for pharmacy have been embraced. We have a good number of consultant pharmacists, and Edo is a place with a robust healthcare and pharmacy profession, featuring top-notch state-managed hospitals and two federal teaching hospitals. Moreover, our primary healthcare system is strong, with several facilities being built and revamped to enhance healthcare in the state.”
The Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. (Dr.) Obikoya Oladele Ayodeji, shared his thoughts on the significance of the conference theme. “It is a privilege to host so many distinguished professionals, thought leaders, and healthcare champions from across the pharmaceutical sector,” he remarked. “This year's theme resonates deeply with the challenges we face as healthcare professionals.
The importance of pharmaceutical care in delivering equitable healthcare cannot be overstated, particularly in a country like ours where access to quality care remains a pressing issue. This conference serves as a platform to explore innovations that possess the potential to revolutionize our healthcare system and ensure that all patients, irrespective of their class or economic status, receive the care they deserve. Together, we can work towards a healthcare system that is more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of every patient.”
The Chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Elechi Kenneth Oyim, also expressed his gratitude to attendees, noting, It is with profound gratitude to the Almighty, a deep sense of responsibility, and overflowing joy that I welcome you all to the historic and culture-rich city of Benin, the heartbeat of Edo State. He highlighted the conference's timely theme, urging participants to interrogate the current state of pharmaceutical practice and reimagine a future where every Nigerian can access quality pharmaceutical care.
He outlined the stark realities that many Nigerians face, including inadequate access to pharmaceutical care, medication errors, and insufficient integration of clinical pharmacy into patient care. What can we do differently? What must we do better? he urged the audience, framing the discourse around innovation as the answer to these pressing questions.
Equitable pharmaceutical care must be available to every Nigerian child, adult, and elder, he declared, underscoring that access to quality medicines should not be a privilege but a right for all, regardless of socio-economic status or geographical location. He called for collective efforts to prioritize pharmaceutical services within healthcare policies, budgets, and investments.
Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, the Chairman of the Opening Ceremony, represented by Mr. Igberaese George, also delivered remarks reflecting on the importance of the conference's theme. He expressed pleasure in witnessing such a gathering of healthcare leaders, stating, Although I am not a pharmacist by profession, I feel honored to be among those who contribute vitally to the health and wellbeing of our citizens. The theme of the conference is critical in addressing current healthcare challenges in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a cutting-edge approach to guarantee fairness, sustainability, and improved patient outcomes.
Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, President of PSN, represented by Prof. Henry Okeri, also shared his insights. He praised AHAPN for advancing pharmacy practice and highlighted the importance of the conference in improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes. I commend the AHAPN for advancing the frontier of pharmacy practice, especially in the vital sector of healthcare within hospitals, he stated, encouraging participants to learn, network, and strategize for future success.
Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), expressed appreciation for AHAPN's leadership. In his remarks, he stated, The theme of the conference couldnt be more timely. Globally, healthcare systems are being stretched to their limits. In this context, innovation isnt a luxury but a necessity. We must expand our understanding of what pharmaceutical care truly entails.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the keynote address by Prof. Azuka Okparah, who delved into the challenges of healthcare disparities and the critical need for equitable access to pharmaceutical care. He remarked, We are living in an era of rapid technological changes and healthcare challenges, particularly disparities in access to healthcare products and services, which continue to undermine global health equity.
Prof. Okparah stressed the importance of pharmaceutical care innovations as powerful tools for ensuring equitable healthcare, referencing the 2020 report by AHAPN that defined pharmaceutical care as a collaborative provision of medication therapy aimed at improving patient outcomes.
He further elaborated on the various dimensions of pharmaceutical care, including lifestyle management and comprehensive medication management, emphasizing the necessity for pharmacists to transition from traditional dispensing roles to patient-centered care. Pharmaceutical care shifts the pharmacist's role to resemble that of other healthcare professions while integrating modern elements such as technology to enhance service delivery, he explained.
Prof. Okparah highlighted the growing importance of technological advancements, such as AI and blockchain, in revolutionizing pharmaceutical care and improving the overall healthcare experience. He concluded with a motivational message about the future of pharmacy, urging professionals to embrace their responsibilities and innovate for the greater good.
The conference continued with a powerful address from Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Edo State where he highlighted the critical role that pharmacists play in enhancing healthcare delivery amid the growing health challenges facing the nation.
Let me begin by commending the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) for the consistency and professionalism with which you continue to advance pharmaceutical care in this country, Okpebholo asserted. He emphasized that the theme of this years conference comes at a pivotal time for the nation's healthcare system.
Addressing the audience, Okpebholo noted, We are living in a period of great health challenges and equally great opportunities. From pandemics and disease outbreaks like dengue fever and yellow fever to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, the role of hospital and administrative pharmacists has become not just important—but essential.
The Governor outlined Edo State's health reforms, which are centered on people, equity, and sustainability. We are building a healthcare ecosystem that puts the patient at the center, driven by data, technology, and a well-motivated health workforce, he explained. He remarked that innovation should be at the heart of pharmacy practice, arguing that it must extend beyond traditional roles to encompass clinical care, public health response, and policy innovation.
Okpebholo further stated, Innovation is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. From telepharmacy to medication therapy management, and from automation of drug distribution systems to artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical inventory control, there is an urgent need to leapfrog the limitations of our current systems.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that innovation is equitable, questioning whether innovations are reaching remote communities. Are our patients in rural communities benefiting just as much as those in urban hospitals? Are we ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind because of geography, poverty, or ignorance? he asked.
The Governor laid out several principles of equity in pharmaceutical care, including the availability and affordability of essential medicines, the practical implementation of standard treatment guidelines, and the active operation of pharmacovigilance systems. He emphasized the need for well-trained pharmacists who are empowered to work as part of multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective patient care.
In Edo State, he noted efforts to strengthen the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) and implement electronic inventory management systems, underscoring collaboration with pharmacists in procurement and rational use of medicines in public hospitals. We are also scaling up continuous medical education for all cadres of health workers, including pharmacists, he said.
Concluding his remarks, Okpebholo challenged attendees to leave the conference with actionable commitments aimed at improving care quality, particularly for vulnerable populations. Together, we can build a health system that is innovative, inclusive, and truly equitable, he inspired, reinforcing the essential nature of pharmacists as public health champions.
The conference featured representatives from various pharmaceutical companies, including Emzor, SAM Pharmaceuticals, and Nature's Field, showcasing their products and contributions to healthcare. The cultural richness of Edo State was celebrated through a vibrant dance presentation, delighting attendees with traditional performances.
Additionally, the conference honored outstanding contributors to the pharmaceutical field through a presentation of awards and goodwill messages, recognizing their accomplishments and advocacy efforts within the industry.
The conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the pharmaceutical sector, emphasizing the importance of embracing modern technologies and systemic transformation. As discussions continue throughout the event, participants are encouraged to share insights and develop actionable strategies to strengthen pharmaceutical care delivery in Nigeria.
As the conference continues, the collaborative spirit and commitment to quality pharmaceutical care remain the focus, inspiring all stakeholders to work together for a stronger healthcare system in Nigeria.
