Governor Chukwuma Soludo has officially declared open the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Awka, calling for stronger collaboration between the state government and pharmaceutical professionals to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the conference, themed “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact,” Governor Soludo welcomed delegates to Anambra State, describing it as the Light of the Nation and Nigeria’s pharmaceutical headquarters.
The governor described the gathering, tagged Ijele 2026, as a historic and remarkable event, stressing that pharmacists play an indispensable role in building an effective and productive healthcare ecosystem.
Highlighting his administration’s investments in human capital development, Soludo disclosed that the state’s education reforms, including free education from kindergarten to secondary school, had reduced the out-of-school children rate to 0.25 per cent, reportedly the lowest in Nigeria.
On healthcare, he highlighted the revitalisation of primary healthcare services, noting that more than 250,000 people had benefited from free antenatal care, while over 950 free Caesarean section operations had been provided to expectant mothers.
Soludo also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Anambra’s position as Nigeria’s pharmaceutical hub, pointing to the ongoing development of a state-of-the-art Pharmaceutical Hub in Oba and the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, which is expected to be delivered early next year.
He challenged the PSN leadership to establish a strategic partnership with the state government to strengthen regulation and operational safety in the pharmaceutical sector.
The governor particularly urged the professional body to address the activities of counterfeit drug dealers and illegal outlets operating under the guise of licensed pharmacies, stressing the need for discipline and professionalism in the industry.
In his remarks, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for his continued support for the pharmaceutical profession.
Ibrahim said bringing the society’s flagship national conference to Anambra was a personal commitment he had made, commending the governor’s vision and leadership.
He also recalled his earlier prediction of Soludo’s electoral victory, noting with satisfaction that the prediction had come to pass.
