Nigeria pharmacists face mass emigration as brain drain threatens healthcare

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has warned of a critical manpower shortage in the healthcare sector due to the mass emigration of pharmacy professionals. At the association's 45th annual national scientific conference in Abuja, ACPN National Chairman Ambrose Ezeh revealed that approximately 9,000 pharmacists emigrated from Nigeria over the last four years.

The trend has continued into 2026, with more than 850 pharmacists obtaining letters of good standing within the first six months of the year to prepare for relocation to countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. The exodus is attributed to poor reward systems, disorganized medicine procurement networks, and delayed enforcement of drug distribution guidelines.

In addition to the brain drain, the ACPN raised alarms regarding rising drug and substance abuse, weak regulatory systems, and medicine insecurity. The association is calling for urgent government reforms and the strengthening of the pharmaceutical industry to protect patient safety and ensure the sustainability of the healthcare sector.