The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has commended Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, for its continued support for the training and professional integration of foreign trained pharmacists into Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, gave the commendation on Aug. 25 when he led members of the Council, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, NAU, and other deans of pharmacy schools on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie.

The visit followed the delegation’s arrival at the university for the second cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP).

Ahmed congratulated NAU on its selection as one of the two designated centres for the programme. The university’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Agulu Campus, is hosting participants from the Southern region, while Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, serves the Northern region.

He said the Council had repeatedly selected NAU because of its quality facilities and suitability for exposing foreign trained pharmacists to the realities of pharmacy practice and jurisprudence in Nigeria. He added that the 16 week programme would begin with eligibility interviews and examinations, after which successful candidates would proceed to the orientation programme.

The registrar said unsuccessful candidates would be required to prepare for another cycle, while those who failed repeatedly might be required to undertake a remedial programme. He also commended NAU’s participation in TETFund supported initiatives aimed at increasing admission quotas in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing.

Responding, Anyaehie thanked the PCN for finding the university worthy of hosting the programme and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences into one of the best in Nigeria. He said Pharmacy had been integrated into the newly created College of Health Sciences as part of the university’s restructuring and expansion plans.

The vice-chancellor said the university remained open to establishing a standalone College of Pharmacy when necessary and assured the delegation that facilities would continue to be improved. He listed plans to expand Computer Based Test capacity, improve student accommodation and provide reliable power supply, including solar powered facilities and dedicated reading spaces.

Anyaehie stressed that adequate facilities would be provided before increasing admission quotas, noting that the university’s priority was to ensure a conducive environment for learning and professional training. He assured the PCN of NAU’s readiness to support the FPGOP and contribute to the advancement of pharmacy education and professional training in Nigeria.

The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Hosting Dean for the programme, Prof. Sunday O. Nduka, commended the vice-chancellor for his commitment to developmental projects at the Agulu Campus.

He described the PCN’s decision to grant NAU hosting rights for the programme in Southern Nigeria as a significant opportunity for the faculty and the university.