By Mokobia Rita.
ASABA/Nigeria: Pharmacists across Nigeria have been urged to actively participate in politics and governance as a critical step towards driving meaningful reforms in the healthcare sector and improving national development.
The call came at the 2026 Annual Summit of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Delta State Chapter, where stakeholders argued that healthcare professionals can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines while key decisions affecting the profession and society are made by others.
The call was made at the summit held in Asaba, by the Father of the Day, Pharm. (Chief) DSC Paul Enebeli, who stated that political participation had become indispensable for professionals seeking to influence policies, strengthen healthcare delivery and contribute to nation-building.
The summit, themed “The Strategic Pharmacist: Navigating Politics from Local Practice to Global Impact,” brought together pharmacists and healthcare stakeholders to discuss leadership, governance, professional development and healthcare advocacy.
According to Enebeli, the annual summit serves as more than a professional gathering, describing it as a platform for pharmacists to reflect on contemporary societal issues and chart a collective course for the future.
He explained that ACPN deliberately selects themes that remain relevant throughout the year and guide professional discussions, policy advocacy and strategic engagements.
“Every year ACPN comes up with a theme that is contemporary and relevant to society. We learn lessons from it, evaluate our progress and use it as a guide for the year. At the end, we produce a communiqué that highlights our resolutions and the way forward,” he said.
Enebeli noted that beyond professional networking and collaboration, the summit provides an opportunity for pharmacists to examine their broader role in shaping society.
He stressed that politics remains a powerful instrument for achieving reforms in healthcare and other sectors.
“Whatever you want to achieve in the healthcare sector, you need politics to enforce it. You cannot change anything without politics. To engage people effectively and drive reforms, you need political involvement,” he stated.
The veteran pharmacist lamented what he described as a leadership deficit in Nigeria despite the country’s 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.
“The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property, and many Nigerians cannot confidently say they feel safe today,” he said.
According to him, professionals who refuse to participate in governance forfeit the opportunity to influence public policy and leadership outcomes.
“If you don’t participate, then you have yourself to blame. We keep complaining that Nigeria is badly governed because many of the right people are not participating,” he added.
Enebeli also advocated a major review of pharmacy education in Nigeria, proposing the introduction of political studies and governance-related courses into university curricula.
He argued that pharmacy students are often trained exclusively in scientific disciplines with little exposure to leadership development, governance and public policy.
“Universities should not only teach us pharmacology, biochemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. There should also be room for political studies and government because understanding governance early helps professionals contribute effectively to society,” he said.
He further recommended that every branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Students (PSN) establish committees on politics and government affairs to prepare future pharmacists for leadership responsibilities.
Drawing inspiration from Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Enebeli underscored the importance of political engagement.
“As Kwame Nkrumah said, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of politics and every other thing shall be added unto you.’ That statement remains very relevant today,” he noted.
He challenged community pharmacists to leverage their grassroots presence by becoming influential stakeholders within their communities, understanding local political structures and engaging constructively with elected leaders.
“With our strategic location in communities, pharmacists should become centres of political engagement. Politicians should know that pharmacists are organized and capable of influencing positive change,” he said.
Enebeli added that pharmacists stand to gain not only greater policy influence but also enhanced economic opportunities through active community engagement and leadership.
Earlier, Chairman of the Occasion and Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Trade and Investment, Pharm. Patrick Ferife, described the summit as timely and relevant.
He observed that many pharmacists traditionally regard politics as being outside the scope of their professional responsibilities, a perception he said must change.
“When politics is mentioned among pharmacists, many feel it is not their business. That is a mistake. Pharmacists should know their wards, understand the political structure around them and belong to a political party of their choice,” Ferife said.
He encouraged pharmacists to aspire to elective positions and leadership roles at all levels of government while embracing digital transformation within the profession.
“The strategic pharmacist must also be digital. If you are not digitalized, you risk becoming irrelevant in today’s world,” he cautioned.
In his welcome address, ACPN Delta State Chairman, Pharm. Efeturi Yovot Dennis, thanked participants and the national leadership of the association for supporting the summit.
He urged delegates to actively participate in discussions and return to their communities equipped with new ideas and strategies for advancing the profession.
The summit featured extensive discussions on healthcare advocacy, leadership development, public policy and the growing need for pharmacists to occupy strategic positions in governance and decision-making processes.
A major takeaway from the gathering was the consensus that pharmacists must move beyond their traditional healthcare roles and become active participants in shaping the policies and leadership decisions that affect healthcare delivery and national development.
