Fourteen pharmacists were inducted as Fellows at the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) 2025 Annual General Meeting, held
last week at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
The event included a valedictory in honour of Pharm Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe, an icon of the pharmaceutical field renowned as a manufacturer and entrepreneur.
NAPHARM also bestowed honorary fellowships on four individuals and presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to three others.
Chief Akinkugbe, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria from 1971-74, was a towering figure whose vision, mentorship, and integrity profoundly influenced generations of pharmacists and national leaders.
At the Valedictory Session, Prof. Lere Baale, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NAPHARM, described Chief Akinkugbe as “a pharmacist, leader, and statesman whose life exemplified grace, discipline, and visionary service to humanity.”
Fellows and dignitaries offered heartfelt tributes to Chief Akinkugbe’s legacy of excellence, his enduring impact on healthcare systems, and his lifelong dedication to professionalism, ethics, and nation-building.
Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe (CFR, CON), a distinguished Nigerian pharmacist, pioneering entrepreneur, and influential corporate leader, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, at the age of 97, eleven days after the passing of his wife of 70 years.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He played key founding roles in Palm Chemists Ltd, Spectrum Books Ltd, and Vitalink Pharmaceutical Industries, among others.
His corporate presence extended across banking, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and publishing.
He held leadership positions in numerous major corporations, including Chairman of West African Portland Cement Company, Procter & Gamble Nigeria Plc, and Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria).
He also served as a director of Barclays Bank Nigeria (now Union Bank), Nigerian Tobacco Company, Fan Milk, and IBTC Chartered Bank Plc. This extensive influence earned him the enduring nickname, “Chairman of Chairmen.”
Chief Akinkugbe began his career at the Lagos General Hospital and later worked at the Central Medical Stores. At the young age of 22, he was persuaded to become the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP), where he successfully advocated for better pay and working conditions for pharmacists nationwide. After the NUP’s dissolution, he joined the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), eventually becoming its fourth president. His leadership secured him a position on the Council and Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association.
The 14 inducted distinguished fellows are Pharm. Dr. Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga, Pharm. Dr. Adenike Olubisi Adenuga, Pharm. Dr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi, Pharm. Dr. Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty, Pharm. Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, Pharm. Dr. Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr. Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.
The four Honorary Fellows are Pharm. Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm. Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The three Lifetime Achievement Awardees are Pharm. Prof. Gabriel Osuide, Pharm. Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr. Fidelis Ayebae.
During the events, NAPHARM reaffirmed its leadership in shaping the future of healthcare and national development. Mr. Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of First HoldCo Plc, led a discussion on the timely and transformative theme, “Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
This series of events brought together renowned leaders, professionals, policymakers, and scholars from across Nigeria and the international pharmaceutical community to explore how innovation in pharmacy and healthcare can drive economic diversification, create jobs, and promote national development.
In his address, Mr Oyedeji emphasised the critical role of research, local manufacturing, digital health, and strategic investment in building a resilient pharmaceutical value chain that supports Nigeria’s industrial and health security objectives.
He asserted that “pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs but also about creating an ecosystem that supports knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across public and private sectors.”
Mr. Oyedeji urged government, academia, investors, and practitioners to coordinate their efforts to leverage Nigeria’s demographic advantage and intellectual capital for sustainable development.
The two-day event took place on October 15 and 16, 2025, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba.
