Nigerian pharmacists raise alarm over exit of 9000 members in four years

Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, has raised alarm over the emigration of no fewer than 9,000 pharmacists from Nigeria to other countries in search of greener pasture. 

Describing the situation as regrettable, the group demanded the provision of necessary resources to make life comfortable for professionals to address the alarming rate of brain drain in the medical sector.

The ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh made the call at the 45th annual national scientific conference of the association held in Abuja. 

Ezeh in a statement made available to DAILY POST at the end of the conference on Sunday, revealed that no fewer than 9,000 pharmacists has emigrated from Nigeria in the last four years. 

The ACPN National Chairman further disclosed that the trend has continued in 2026, revealing that more than 850 pharmacists obtained letters of good standing within the first six months of the year in preparation to relocate to countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and United States.

Ezeh explained that the medical professionals left the country due to poor reward systems, delayed enforcement of drug distribution guidelines and disorganised medicine procurement networks.

He lamented that the continued emigration of professionals is creating a serious manpower shortage, which has grievous implications for patient safety, healthcare delivery and the sustainability of the sector.

Ezeh tasked the governments to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry and support executive or private-member bills targeting some of the sector’s most persistent challenges.