The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Advisory team has visited Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for advice and on the spot assessment of readiness for the take off of academic activities in the newly established Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Speaking during an exit briefing during the visit at the Senate Chamber, the Chairman of the Team, Professor Nelson Ochekpe, commended the ongoing preparations for the successful take off of pharmacy program in the University.
He, however highlighted some key recommendations to ensure a smooth start of the new program and emphasized the need for robust infrastructure and faculty development.
Professor Ochekpe appreciated the efforts of the University Management, stating,
"To ensure success, I will raise the implementation efforts from 150 to 200 percent."
He acknowledged the University’s progress and reiterated his commitment to supporting the institution's initiatives.
The visit included a tour of the new Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences building, where the advisory team assessed the readiness of the facilities.
The Chairman expressed satisfaction with the structure but recommended duplicating the building to accommodate more laboratories.
Further suggestions from the advisory team included establishing an animal facility center and a medicinal plant garden, which would serve multiple departments, including pharmacy, zoology, and the College of Health Sciences.
The Chairman emphasized the importance of shared facilities, noting that the Pharmacy Department would be best positioned to manage such resources.
During discussions on academic staff, the advisory team lauded the University for its balanced distribution of junior and senior academic staff.
He advised the University to consider Direct Entry admissions at the 200-level to make full use of the current Faculty and meet the demand for experienced students transitioning from other disciplines like Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry.
The Advisory Team also inspected the Central Research Laboratory and encouraged the Institution to secure service agreements with equipment suppliers to ensure operational efficiency.
"It is crucial to have after-sales agreements for training and maintenance to keep the equipment in optimal condition," he remarked.
On a concluding note, the Chairman highlighted the importance of planning accommodation for 600-level pharmacy students, who will spend significant time in hospital settings, and urged the University to consider housing solutions near the new teaching hospital in Minna to ease the financial burden of commuting or temporary lodging.
Responding to the Advisory team, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu, emphasized the University's commitment to establishing a solid foundation for the growth and success of its new programs.
His remarks underscored the institution's progress and plans for further development, particularly in expanding facilities and improving academic standards.
Professor Adamu noted that it was always crucial to start with a very good foundation, which IBBUL has laid down.
He highlighted the University's strategic focus on creating a conducive learning environment, ensuring that the institution i
was well-prepared for future challenges.
He revealed that the University has increased its capacity, despite the constraints.
Professor Adamu assured that the Institution is prioritizing the duplication of essential facilities, including additional laboratories, in the next phase of development.
Addressing specific needs such as the construction of an animal facility center and the establishment of a medicinal plant garden, Professor Adamu affirmed the University's commitment to meeting accreditation requirements. "We know what it takes, and it's a requirement for the animal house, or what you call the animal facility center. For the medicinal plant, we have secured a place and have planted some medicinal plants because we know how important this component is for pharmaceutical sciences," he assured.
The Vice Chancellor also emphasized efforts to strengthen the Faculty's staffing structure, noting recent recruitments aimed at achieving a balanced mix of junior and senior staff.
The initiative, he noted, is expected to enhance mentorship and support for younger staff members contributing to the Faculty's long-term sustainability.
Professor Adamu further highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Niger State government to support the University's growth, including the construction of a new teaching hospital. This facility is expected to cater to various programs, including MBBS, Pharmaceutical and Nursing Sciences.
He also expressed confidence that the development would help meet the requirements of regulatory bodies like the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the PharmD program.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Baba Shehu Ahmed provided strategic advice on the university's new initiatives.
His remarks highlighted the importance of sustained effort and oversight in maintaining the quality of the programs, emphasizing the role of the Council in ensuring continuous improvement.
Pharm. Baba Ahmed shared his experience from a recent visit to another university, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum throughout the implementation process.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the current energy levels, urging IBBUL to avoid a decline in momentum.
To address this challenge, Pharm. Baba Ahmed disclosed that he had developed a new approach for monitoring University programs, which involves unannounced visits to ensure compliance and continuous progress.
He emphasized that the long-term impact of these programs relies on the ability of trained graduates to uphold professional standards.
In his vote of thanks, the Registrar of the University, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, expressed deep appreciation to the advisory team for its efforts.
He highlighted the team's dedication and emphasized the university's gratitude for the observations provided, assuring that the recommendations would be taken seriously.
The visit underscored the Council's commitment to supporting the growth of pharmacy education at IBB University, aligning with the institution’s vision for becoming a World-Class university.
