Nigerian pharmacists raise alarm over exit of 9000 members in four years
Thousands of Pharmacists Emigrate from Nigeria, Raising Concerns
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reported that approximately 9,000 pharmacists have left the country in recent years in search of better opportunities abroad.
Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, the ACPN’s national chairman, characterized this trend as concerning during a statement made at the organization’s 45th annual national scientific conference in Abuja. He highlighted that over the past four years, a significant number of professionals have sought to relocate, with more than 850 obtaining letters of good standing in the first half of 2026 alone. Many of these individuals are preparing to move to countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
Ezeh attributed the emigration to multiple factors, including inadequate compensation, slow implementation of drug distribution guidelines, and disorganized medicine procurement networks. He expressed concerns that this trend is contributing to a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, which poses risks to patient safety and the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system.
The ACPN is urging the government to enhance support for the pharmaceutical industry. Ezeh has called for legislative measures, whether through executive orders or private-member bills, to address the ongoing challenges facing the sector.
