Pharmacists petition Tinubu, reject decades of medical dominance in health, education sectors.
ACPN demands equal leadership roles, slams exclusion from key programs and top positions.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, decrying what it calls the long-standing domination of medical doctors in key public institutions, particularly in the health and education sectors. The group is calling for urgent intervention to dismantle what it sees as a systemic exclusion of other health professionals and restore equity in the nation’s healthcare system.
In a letter dated June 16, 2025, titled “Call Off These Bluffs In National Interest” and signed by ACPN National Chairman, Mr. Ambrose Ezeh, and National Secretary, Mr. Omokhafe Ashore, the association urged the president to halt the alleged medical monopoly that has persisted for decades. The group warned that continued marginalisation of non-physician professionals would hinder institutional growth and the delivery of quality healthcare services.
The pharmacists cited recent events, including a protest led by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the University of Calabar over a vice-chancellor appointment. A similar controversy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University led to the Federal Ministry of Education reversing a decision under pressure from the same group. ACPN argued that these incidents reflect a pattern of physicians using industrial threats to dominate leadership positions, even in academic roles that typically require PhD qualifications.
“The ineptitude of the FG to succumb to this shameful blackmail leaves a sour taste in the mouth,” the letter read, calling for the president to act in the national interest.
The association also highlighted a 40-year pattern of exclusion, dating back to 1985, whereby only physicians are considered for the role of Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs). ACPN argued that this stems from a misinterpretation of the term “medically qualified,” which has been narrowly defined to exclude other health professionals, such as pharmacists and laboratory scientists.
The association further criticized the Ninth National Assembly for passing a bill without public consultation, which legally restricts CMD appointments to those registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. ACPN believes this legislative move reinforces institutional bias and disregards merit-based selection across health professions.
Turning to the education sector, the pharmacists accused Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, of supporting physician-led pressure tactics to secure university appointments for which many doctors are academically unqualified. The group emphasized that most physicians hold fellowships, professional but not academic qualifications, whereas vice-chancellors are expected to hold PhDs.
In the healthcare delivery space, ACPN lamented its exclusion from strategic programs like the MEDIPOOL drug procurement initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Health. According to the association, the omission of pharmacists from such national platforms undermines drug supply chain efficiency and threatens the success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
As part of its demands, ACPN renewed its call for the establishment of a Federal Drug Management Agency, a specialized body tasked with overseeing pharmaceutical procurement, distribution, and logistics nationwide. The pharmacists argue that such an agency would improve transparency, reduce waste, and ensure professional input across the healthcare value chain.
They insisted that until professionals beyond the medical field are given equal opportunities in leadership and policy roles, the nation’s health and education sectors will continue to underperform.
The ACPN petition is a fresh chapter in the growing tensions among healthcare professionals in Nigeria, as non-physician groups continue to demand fair representation and policy reform across public institutions.
