By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, on Monday inducted 86 foreign-trained pharmacists into the nation’s healthcare workforce, charging them to uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity while warning that professional misconduct would not be tolerated.

The Registrar of the Council, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, gave the charge at the Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony for participants of the First Cycle 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme ,FPGOP, in Abuja.

Ahmed said the induction followed the successful completion of the mandatory orientation programme and prescribed examinations in line with the provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

“We are assembled today to formally induct a new cohort of pharmacists, numbering eighty-six, who have successfully completed the first cycle of the 2026 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme and duly passed the requisite examinations,” he said.

Describing the FPGOP as one of the Council’s key regulatory responsibilities, the Registrar explained that the programme was designed to familiarise foreign-trained pharmacists with Nigeria’s healthcare environment, pharmacy laws, jurisprudence, ethical standards and local clinical practice before they are licensed to practise.

According to him, the orientation equips participants with the knowledge required to integrate seamlessly into Nigeria’s healthcare system while preparing them for effective professional service.

Addressing the inductees, Ahmed said taking the Pharmacist’s Oath marked the beginning of a lifelong legal, ethical and moral commitment to protect lives through competent and compassionate pharmaceutical care.

“As foreign-trained professionals, you bring a unique opportunity to act as catalysts for innovation in any practice setting you find yourselves,” he said, urging them to deploy their international exposure and expertise to strengthen healthcare delivery in the country.

The Registrar reminded the newly inducted pharmacists that graduates are statutorily required to undergo a one-year internship under the supervision of duly registered and licensed pharmacists at PCN-accredited centres before full registration.

He, however, clarified that foreign-trained pharmacists who already possess valid registration and practising licences from their countries of training are exempted from the internship requirement.

Ahmed also underscored the importance of lifelong learning, noting that rapid scientific advancements, increasing disease burden and patient safety concerns make continuous professional development indispensable for pharmacists.

He said the Council’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development,MCPD programme enables practising pharmacists to continually update their knowledge and competencies through online and physical learning platforms, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations and Federal Ministry of Health directives.

Warning against unethical conduct, Ahmed stressed that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria would not condone any act capable of bringing the profession into disrepute.

He explained that allegations of professional misconduct are investigated by the Council’s Investigating Panel, while established cases are referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal, which applies sanctions in accordance with the law after observing the principles of fair hearing.

“This process is aimed at upholding professional ethics, protecting public interest and maintaining the integrity of the pharmacy profession,” he said.

He therefore urged the new pharmacists to make the Council’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, Professionalism and Care the guiding principles of their careers.
Ahmed congratulated the inductees and their parents, describing the ceremony as the beginning of a rewarding professional journey.

“As you leave here today as newly inducted Nigerian pharmacists, remember that the PCN is not just your regulator but your partner in professional growth,” he added.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Hajia Wosilat Giwa, congratulated the inductees for distinguishing themselves in character and learning, urging them to remain disciplined and uphold the profession’s ethical standards throughout their careers.

She reminded them that pharmacy is a profession with “zero tolerance for professional misconduct” and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and experiences acquired during their studies abroad to transform pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.

Giwa further emphasised the importance of the compulsory one-year internship for eligible graduates before registration to practise and commended the Registrar and staff of the Council for sustaining the high standards of the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and the Esu Karu, Pharm. (Dr.) Luka Panya Baba, described pharmacy as “a calling anchored on integrity, precision and humanity.”

He said the newly inducted pharmacists had returned from different parts of the world with valuable global knowledge and best practices that would strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Nigeria needs your global exposure, your expertise and your dedication now more than ever,” he told the inductees, urging them to make impactful contributions to pharmaceutical care and national healthcare delivery.

The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme is a statutory programme of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria aimed at integrating pharmacists trained outside the country into Nigeria’s healthcare and regulatory system before they are granted full registration to practise.

It provides orientation on local laws, ethics, professional standards and clinical practice to ensure safe and effective pharmaceutical services nationwide.