Fourteen pharmacists were inducted as Fellows at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) during the week at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, amid a valedictory in honour of Pharm Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe, an icon of the field, notable manufacturer, and entrepreneur.
NAPHARM also honoured four honorary fellows and gave Lifetime Achievement Awards to three others.
Akinkugbe was the esteemed founding President of the Academy of Pharmacy and a towering figure whose vision, mentorship, and integrity influenced generations of pharmacists and national leaders.
Speaking 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 paid sincere tributes to Chief Akinkugbe’s legacy of excellence, enduring influence on healthcare systems, and lifelong commitment to professionalism, ethics, and nation-building.
Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe (CFR, CON) was a distinguished Nigerian pharmacist, pioneering entrepreneur, and influential corporate leader. He passed away peacefully on 22 September 2025, at the age of 97. A devoted family man, Chief Akinkugbe passed on 11 days after his wife of 70 years. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren survive him.
The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include 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.
Four Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The three Lifetime Achievements Awardees were Pharm Prof Gabriel Osuide, Pharm Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr Fidelis Ayebae.
NAPHARM reaffirmed its leadership in shaping the future of healthcare and national development during the events, when 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”.
The 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 foster economic diversification, generate jobs, and advance national development.
