In a strategic move poised to reinforce Nigeria’s healthcare research ecosystem, the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martins Emeje, at the Agency’s laboratory headquarters in Lagos.
The visit highlights the growing alignment between academic pharmacy leadership and national research institutions working to advance natural medicine development, local pharmaceutical innovation, and sustainable healthcare solutions in Nigeria.
The delegation was led by Professor Catherine Stanley, National Chairperson of NAPA, alongside Professor Chukwuemeka Azubuike, Branch Chairman, NAPA University of Lagos Chapter. Dr. Folake Ayeni and Dr. Uche Ogbo
The delegates emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between academia and NNMDA to accelerate research translation and professional training.
Their presence underscores NAPA’s commitment to shaping a pharmacy workforce equipped to respond to Nigeria’s evolving healthcare needs.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Stanley applauded Prof. Emeje’s enduring impact on championing the development and promotion of natural medicines and supporting initiatives that reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported drugs, describing his leadership as instrumental in driving innovation across both academia and regulatory practice.
She particularly highlighted Prof. Emeje’s forward-thinking leadership in fully implementing the Consultancy Cadre in Pharmacy at NNMDA, with staff already benefiting from the structure.
A former National Chairperson of NAPA, Prof. Emeje has remained a prominent figure in advancing pharmaceutical education and strengthening professional standards nationwide.
Professor Azubuike commended the Director General for creating an enabling environment for collaboration through NNMDA’s academic initiatives.
He reaffirmed NAPA’s readiness to leverage these platforms more effectively, noting that stronger institutional partnerships can catalyze innovation, enhance knowledge exchange, and support capacity development within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Emeje reiterated his lifelong connection to academia.
The Director General challenged pharmacy educators to move beyond limitations and focus on measurable productivity capable of driving national progress.
“A better teacher is one who teaches what he does.” He said, encouraging lecturers across Nigerian universities to embrace mindset renewal and adopt practice-oriented teaching models that equip students to solve real-world healthcare challenges.
According to him, universities must increasingly serve as solution hubs addressing the specific health needs within their local communities.
The engagement reflects NNMDA’s broader institutional strategy to strengthen partnerships that accelerate evidence-based natural medicine research while fostering the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
Obasi Eze Hans
Innovation, Data and ICT Support (DG’s Office)
NNMDA
