ACPN Unveils ‘Unity 2026’ Conference to Advance Universal Health Coverage, Strengthen Nigeria’s Healthcare System
By Naomi Onome
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has concluded arrangements to host its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, tagged “Unity 2026,” with healthcare leaders, policymakers, legislators, and pharmaceutical experts expected to converge in Abuja to chart a new course for expanding healthcare access and strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
The conference, scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, will focus on the theme: “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems.”
The week-long event will commence on July 27 with a nationwide awareness walk on health insurance themed “Health Insurance for All: Leaving No One Behind.” The exercise will be led by the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, alongside the ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma.
The organisers said the walk is expected to bring together pharmacists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners, and members of the public to promote greater awareness and participation in Nigeria’s health insurance programme.
As part of the conference, Dr. Ohiri will deliver a presentation titled “Leveraging NHIA–Community Pharmacists Collaboration as a Catalyst for Universal Health Coverage,” highlighting strategies for deepening collaboration between community pharmacists and the NHIA to improve access to affordable healthcare services across the country.
Also expected to address participants is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, who will speak on “Healthcare System Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” focusing on ongoing efforts to build a more resilient, inclusive, and people-centred healthcare system.
The conference is expected to attract several high-profile government officials and policymakers, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside leading stakeholders from Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Pharm. Chidi Dozie, said preparations have been completed to receive both local and international delegates for what is expected to be one of Africa’s largest gatherings of community pharmacists.
According to him, the conference will provide a platform for regulators, policymakers, healthcare practitioners, industry leaders, and development partners to deliberate on emerging issues affecting healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical regulation, medicine accessibility, and supply chain management.
Dozie noted that the participation of top government officials underscores the growing recognition of community pharmacists as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He expressed optimism that deliberations at the conference would translate into practical policy recommendations capable of improving healthcare access, strengthening national health security, and enhancing the country’s pharmaceutical sector.
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He added that participants would also gain valuable insights into optimizing pharmaceutical supply chains, improving operational efficiency, managing risks, complying with evolving healthcare regulations, and strengthening institutional frameworks that support sustainable investment in community pharmacy practice.
Speaking ahead of the conference, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, described Unity 2026 as a defining moment for the profession and an opportunity to reposition community pharmacists at the forefront of Nigeria’s healthcare transformation.
According to him, community pharmacists have continued to play increasingly significant roles in expanding healthcare access over the last decade and should be fully integrated into grassroots healthcare delivery and rural development initiatives.
“Our expectation for Unity 2026 goes beyond professional discussions. We aim to develop a practical roadmap that will strengthen community pharmacy practice and position pharmacists as key contributors to healthcare policy and national development,” he said.
Igwekamma also highlighted ACPN’s ongoing implementation of the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI), a professional development framework endorsed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), designed to provide structured career advancement opportunities for pharmacists.
He reiterated the association’s longstanding advocacy for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres, stressing that their accessibility and frontline presence make them indispensable in achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.
The keynote speaker and Managing Director of Evans Therapeutics Limited, Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, said the conference would also examine critical issues surrounding pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance.
According to him, strengthening local drug production and aligning Nigeria’s pharmaceutical standards with global best practices remain essential to ensuring access to quality medicines and safeguarding public health.
Similarly, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, described the conference as a landmark gathering for the pharmacy profession.
He stressed the need for pharmacists to combine technical competence with active policy engagement in order to influence healthcare governance and contribute meaningfully to national and global health goals.
Organisers said the conference will feature high-level policy dialogues, scientific sessions, professional development programmes, exhibitions, and strategic networking opportunities aimed at generating practical solutions for improving access to quality medicines, strengthening healthcare systems, and building a resilient pharmaceutical sector capable of meeting the healthcare needs of millions of Nigerians.
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