The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has commenced the first cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacy Graduates Orientation Programme (FPGOP) organised by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Correspondence reports that the programme aims to determine whether certificates obtained by pharmacy graduates abroad meet Nigeria’s professional standards.
Speaking during the orientation flag-off in Nsukka on Monday, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nworu, Dean of the Faculty, explained that the programme was designed exclusively for Nigerians who earned their pharmacy degrees outside the country.
“Today, 40 graduates are undertaking accreditation examinations. Those who pass will proceed to an oral eligibility interview, and successful candidates will then commence a six-week orientation,” he said.
He added that the participants would sit a final examination at the end of the programme, and those who succeed would be recommended to the PCN for the issuance of a practising licence in Nigeria.
“During the six weeks, they will receive lectures from faculty members, while external examiners from the Council will periodically assess their progress,” he said.
The Dean, who also chairs the FPGOP, noted that UNN was honoured to host the first cycle of the 2025 programme for the southern region, while Gombe State University would host candidates in the North.
“Our faculty is proud to bridge foreign pharmacy education with the professional standards expected in Nigeria,” he said.
Nworu extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, to guests, facilitators, and the foreign-trained graduates. He assured that the faculty was fully prepared to support the participants through the programme.
He also praised the PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, and the Council for selecting UNN’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences to host the first cycle.
Ahmed, represented by Mrs Ifeyinwa Ohiaeri, South East Zonal Director of PCN, said that part of the Council’s mandate was to screen foreign-trained pharmacy graduates to ensure they met PCN’s professional standards.
“This orientation aims to identify and certify graduates who qualify for practice in Nigeria,” she said.
Ahmed urged parents to verify the accreditation status of universities abroad before sending their children for studies, stressing that inquiries could be made through Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education.
“This would prevent situations where years are spent studying in unrecognised institutions abroad, leading to difficulties upon return to Nigeria,” he said.
He further noted that the leadership capacity of faculty deans was a major consideration in awarding hosting rights for the orientation programme.
“UNN was selected for the southern hosting right because of the proven competence and capability of its Dean,” he said.
(NAN)