Pharmacists in Nigeria have been urged to actively participate in politics to drive reforms in the healthcare sector and improve national development outcomes.
The call was made at the 2026 Annual Summit of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Delta State Chapter, held on Thursday in Asaba.
Stakeholders at the summit said healthcare professionals can no longer remain on the sidelines while key policy decisions affecting the sector are made by others.
Father of the Day, Pharm. Paul Enebeli, said political participation is essential for professionals seeking meaningful reforms in healthcare delivery.
He explained that the summit served as a platform for reflection on societal issues and long-term professional development within the pharmacy sector.
Enebeli said, “Whatever you want to achieve in the healthcare sector, you need politics to enforce it. You cannot change anything without politics.”
He added that leadership challenges remained a major concern in Nigeria despite its vast human and natural resources.
“Nigeria is richly blessed. What we lack is focused leadership, leadership that delivers not only for the ruling class but for everyone, ” he added.
He stressed that many national challenges persist because capable professionals are not actively involved in governance and policymaking.
Enebeli also called for reforms in pharmacy education to include political studies and governance-related courses in university curricula.
He said students should be exposed early to leadership and public policy to prepare them for broader societal roles.
He further suggested that Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Students (PSN) branches create committees on politics and governance.
He cited Ghana’s first President, saying, “As Kwame Nkrumah said, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of politics and every other thing shall be added unto you.’”
Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Patrick Ferife, said many pharmacists wrongly believe politics is outside their professional responsibility.
He urged them to join political parties, understand local political structures, and seek elective positions when possible.
Ferife also emphasised that pharmacists must embrace digital transformation to remain relevant in a changing global environment.
ACPN Delta State Chairman, Pharm. Dennis Efeturi, thanked participants and encouraged them to apply the ideas discussed in their communities.
The summit concluded with a consensus that pharmacists must play active roles in governance to influence healthcare and national development policies.
