Date: 2017-01-24

The University of Ilorin has expressed commitment to producing high quality pharmacists for the country.

The Vice-Chancellor, of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, stated this when he received the accreditation team from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in his office.

The PCN is a statutory body set up by the Federal Government pursuant to Decree 91 of 1992 under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health for the purpose of the regulation and control of the practice of Pharmacy, determining professional standards in Pharmacy and securing the establishment and maintenance of registers of Pharmacists.

Prof. Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Mrs. N. Y. S. Ijaiya, submitted that pharmacists must be well trained because of the crucial role they play in the nation's healthcare delivery system, adding that Unilorin's Faculty of Pharmacy, is set to produce some of the best and well-trained pharmacists in the world.

The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the University is not afraid of challenges as he called on the PCN to help the Faculty to become the best, saying, "Our Pharmacy programme is still in its infancy but we want to bring it to a professional standard. We, therefore, welcome your observations and recommendations".

At the submission of the team's report last Wednesday (January 18, 2017), the leader of the team, Prof. Isa M. Hussaini, explained that the team interacted with the staff and students of the Faculty and also undertook a thorough inspection of its facilities.

Prof. Hussaini commended the University on the quality and quantity of the facilities in the Faculty, saying, "I am highly impressed in terms of the physical development and adequate equipment, which you do not find in most universities in Nigeria".

The team leader expressed delight at the cordial relationship that exists between the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and the Faculty, as he counselled that the Faculty should ensure it commences postgraduate programme in the nearest future.

Prof. Hussaini also read out the few recommendations, which the accreditation team believed would go a long way in further improving the quality and content of Pharmaceutical training in the University.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor said that the team's observations were well taken, as he commended the team for doing a thorough job, noting that training and re-training have been a cardinal point in the agenda of the institution.

Prof. Ambali said, "We will work on all the recommendations. We need the support of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria as we recognise them as a major stakeholder in the development of the Faculty of Pharmacy".