The National Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP) has intensified preparations for its 2026 Annual National Conference and Training with a strategic courtesy visit to Sure Life Pharmaceutical Ltd, reinforcing industry collaboration and advancing its newly introduced “Value Addition” framework.
The delegation, led by NAIP National Chairman, Pharm (Sir) Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo, met with the Managing Director of the company, Chief Emeka Francis Ujagba, at the firm’s facility in Ibusa, Delta State.
The visit served as a formal invitation to the forthcoming conference, themed “Harmony Reloaded,” scheduled to hold from May 3 to 7, 2026, at De Peace Hotels and Suites in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Beyond protocol, the engagement underscored NAIP’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers while securing executive support for its evolving conference structure. Central to this year’s gathering is the “Value Addition” framework—an initiative that redefines the traditional conference model into a dual-purpose platform combining high-level deliberations with targeted technical training.
The association explained that the framework is the outcome of extensive research into workforce development challenges within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector. It is designed to bridge critical skill gaps that continue to limit employee progression and organizational competitiveness.
Addressing the host, the NAIP leadership emphasized that while many organisations invest in training, the 2026 conference will focus on measurable outcomes—linking learning directly to career advancement, operational efficiency, and future workforce demands.
Discussions during the visit also highlighted the need for a comprehensive mapping of skills deficits across all levels of the industry—from entry-level personnel to executive leadership—ensuring that capacity-building initiatives are both inclusive and impactful.
Pharm. Bankole reaffirmed the association’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships across the healthcare value chain. He noted that the conference curriculum will span key industry areas, including Commercial Operations, Technical Operations (Quality Control/Quality Assurance), and Logistics, with the objective of supporting local manufacturers in meeting global regulatory standards.
In his response, Chief Ujagba welcomed the initiative and described the conference theme as timely and forward-looking. He commended NAIP’s growing influence in advancing pharmaceutical industrial excellence in Nigeria, noting that the association’s leadership continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the sector’s evolution.
He further stressed the importance of ensuring that the proposed “Value Addition” translates into tangible improvements in productivity and efficiency across local pharmaceutical hubs. According to him, a structured, cadre-wide training approach is essential for sustainable industry growth, particularly in empowering diverse functions ranging from sales to regulatory affairs.
Reaffirming his support, the Managing Director expressed optimism about NAIP’s vision for the future of the industry, highlighting the potential for Nigeria to emerge as a globally competitive pharmaceutical hub driven by local manufacturing capacity and international best practices.
Chief Ujagba also confirmed his participation in the Ilorin conference, pledging full support for the “Harmony Reloaded” initiative.
The visit concluded on a note of shared commitment, with NAIP indicating that insights from the engagement will directly shape the 2026 conference curriculum, ensuring its alignment with the evolving demands of Nigeria’s healthcare sector and the global pharmaceutical landscape.
