The Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, recently welcomed one of Nigeria’s foremost voices in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Pharm. Dr. Lolu Ojo, as keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual Faculty Lecture of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The event, which brought together students, academics, and industry professionals, centered around the theme: “The Practice and Prospects of Industrial Pharmacy.”

With decades of experience and leadership as MD/CEO of Merit Healthcare Ltd, Mr. Ojo delivered a compelling and visionary address that traced the evolution of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector from its colonial-era dependence on imports to the rise, fall, and ongoing resurgence of local drug manufacturing.

In his speech, Mr. Ojo emphasized the critical role of industrial pharmacy in achieving national health security, economic growth, and pharmaceutical self-reliance. He highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s $3 billion pharma market and outlined key opportunities in policy reform, infrastructure development, innovation, and academia-industry collaboration.

Importantly, Mr. Ojo challenged the next generation of pharmacists to look beyond traditional roles and embrace the vast opportunities in production, regulatory affairs, supply chain management, and pharmaceutical R&D. He called for curriculum reforms and stronger partnerships between universities and industry players to fuel innovation and build a workforce ready for the future.

His message was clear: with the right vision and investment, Nigeria can become a regional pharmaceutical powerhouse. The lecture left attendees inspired, reaffirming the Faculty of Pharmacy’s commitment to shaping pharmacists who are not just professionals, but problem-solvers and nation-builders.