By Gvernor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is set to host the 2026 Colloquium of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), a major gathering expected to attract leading figures from Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
The colloquium is scheduled to hold from March 29 to April 1, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yola. The event is widely regarded as a significant convergence of stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry and will serve as a prelude to the Centenary Anniversary of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Nigeria (1927–2027), slated to be celebrated next year in Abuja.
Governor Fintiri expressed the state government’s readiness to provide a conducive and world-class environment for delegates expected to attend the event from across Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking ahead of the colloquium, the President of PSN and host of the event, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, described the gathering as a strategic moment for reflection and planning within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
According to him, the colloquium will provide an opportunity for the profession to reflect on its historic achievements while charting a forward-looking path for the future.
“With a rich history dating back to our founding, this anniversary serves as a reminder of the most memorable successes that have contributed to improved health outcomes across the nation,” he said, while paying tribute to the founding fathers and past leaders of the profession.
Ibrahim explained that the selection of Adamawa State as the host venue was a recognition of Governor Fintiri’s efforts in strengthening healthcare delivery in the state. He commended the governor for the construction and equipping of modern cottage hospitals and improvements in primary healthcare infrastructure.
He also noted that the governor has demonstrated support for the pharmaceutical profession by appointing pharmacists to key leadership positions in the public service, including roles such as Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, thereby creating opportunities for healthcare professionals to contribute meaningfully to governance.
Addressing young pharmacists, Ibrahim emphasised that they represent the architects of the industry’s second century.
He urged them to take responsibility for shaping the future of the profession, noting that the colloquium and the upcoming centenary celebrations are not merely ceremonial events but platforms for knowledge sharing, professional networking, mentorship and career development.
According to him, young professionals should take advantage of the mentorship opportunities that will be available during the event, especially as technology, innovation and local pharmaceutical manufacturing increasingly shape the future of the industry.
The Chairman of the Centenary Planning Committee and former PSN President, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, also disclosed that the colloquium will witness the launch of the Centenary Trust Fund, an initiative designed to support the long-term development of the pharmaceutical profession in Nigeria.
He said the Society intends to use the platform to advocate a comprehensive transformation of Nigeria’s healthcare system, moving beyond the colonial-era dispensary model toward a modern and globally competitive pharmaceutical industry.
The colloquium will be held under the theme “Launching of Centenary Endowment Funds,” with a keynote address expected from renowned pharmaceutical scholar Prof. Cyril Odianose Usifoh.
Discussions during the event are expected to advance the vision of positioning Nigeria as the “Pharmacy of Africa,” particularly in line with the strategic target of achieving 70 per cent local drug production by 2030, a goal considered crucial to strengthening national health security.
Supporting the hosting arrangements are several senior government officials, including the Head of Service, Pharm. Isa Shehu Ardo, mni; the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley; the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Felix Tangwami; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Pharm. Zirra Bubanani; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pharmaceutical Matters, Pharm. Nneka Okwuma.
The colloquium will also feature the participation of industry leaders and eminent professionals. The opening ceremony will be chaired by Pharm. Yaro Budah, while intellectual sessions will be led by prominent speakers from across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
