The nation’s capital is set for a major gathering of political leaders, healthcare policymakers, and pharmaceutical experts as the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) prepares to host its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, tagged “Unity 2026,” with a strong focus on expanding healthcare access and strengthening Nigeria’s health system.

The conference, scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, will explore the theme, “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems.”

The week-long event will kick off on July 27 with a awareness walk on health insurance under the theme, “Health Insurance for All: Leaving No One Behind.” The exercise will be led by Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, alongside ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma. The walk is expected to draw pharmacists, healthcare stakeholders, policymakers, and members of the public in a renewed push to deepen awareness and participation in Nigeria’s health insurance scheme.

As discussions shift to the conference venue, Dr. Ohiri will deliver a strategic presentation on “Leveraging NHIA–Community Pharmacists Collaboration as a Catalyst for Universal Health Coverage,” highlighting how stronger partnerships between pharmacists and health insurance providers can expand access to affordable healthcare services.

Also expected to headline the conference is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, who will speak on “Healthcare System Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” offering insights into efforts to build a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system.

The conference has attracted an impressive lineup of government leaders and policymakers, including Godswill Akpabio, Tajudeen Abbas, Mohammed Umar Bago, Nyesom Wike, and Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside leading figures from Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Pharm. Chidi Dozie, said preparations have been concluded to receive both local and international delegates for what is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of community pharmacists in Africa.

According to him, the conference will bring together regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, healthcare practitioners, and development partners to examine emerging challenges affecting healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical supply chains, regulation, and access to medicines.

Dozie noted that the participation of senior government officials reflects increasing recognition of community pharmacists as indispensable stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture. He said the gathering would provide a unique opportunity to transform professional recommendations into actionable policies capable of improving healthcare access and strengthening national health security.

He added that participants would gain valuable insights into optimizing pharmaceutical supply chains, improving operational efficiency, managing risks, and navigating increasingly complex healthcare regulations. He also stressed the need for stronger institutional frameworks that can safeguard investments in the pharmacy sector while promoting sustainable healthcare delivery.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, described Unity 2026 as a defining moment for the profession and a platform for repositioning community pharmacists at the centre of healthcare transformation.

He said pharmacists have assumed increasingly important responsibilities in expanding healthcare access over the past decade and should be fully integrated into grassroots healthcare and rural development initiatives to improve health outcomes across the country.

“Our expectation for Unity 2026 goes beyond professional discussions. We aim to develop a practical roadmap that will strengthen community pharmacy practice and position pharmacists as key contributors to healthcare policy and national development,” he said.

Ambrose further highlighted ACPN’s efforts to implement the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI), a framework endorsed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, which provides a structured pathway for professional growth and career advancement among pharmacists.

He also reiterated the association’s advocacy for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres, arguing that their accessibility and frontline presence make them critical assets in achieving universal health coverage.

Keynote Speaker and Managing Director of Evans Therapeutics Limited, Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, said the conference would tackle pressing issues surrounding pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance.

He emphasized that strengthening local drug production and aligning national standards with global best practices remain crucial to guaranteeing access to quality medicines and protecting public health.

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, described the gathering as a watershed moment for the pharmacy profession, stressing that pharmacists must combine technical expertise with active policy engagement to influence healthcare governance and contribute meaningfully to national and global health targets.

With high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions, professional development programmes, and strategic networking opportunities on the agenda, Unity 2026 is expected to generate far-reaching conversations on the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Organisers say the conference will serve as a launchpad for practical solutions that improve access to quality medicines, strengthen healthcare systems, and accelerate the development of a resilient pharmaceutical sector capable of meeting the health needs of millions of Nigerians.