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Qatar Airways Andd Kenya Airways Expand Partnership With Codeshare Flights To 19 Destinations

Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways announce the launch of codeshare flights to 19 destinations, with more set to be added in the near future. Kenya Airways customers can book codeshare flights between Nairobi and Doha, as well as to 10 destinations connecting through the award-winning Hamad International Airport.

 

Similarly, Qatar Airways customers now have access to eight destinations in Kenya Airways’ network, connecting through three daily flights between Doha and Nairobi. Passengers will be able to travel on these codeshare flights from 26 October 2025. Flights will be available for sale starting tomorrow, 21 October.

 

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “We are pleased with the significant progress made in just a few months since the partnership initiated with Kenya Airways, and this enhancement is a testament of the collaborative efforts which further strengthens our presence in Kenya and the African continent. The recent addition of Qatar Airways’ third daily flight to Nairobi also serves as another cornerstone of this partnership that is driven by strong demand from passengers seeking reliable and seamless connectivity.”

 

Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu, said: “We are excited to embark on this new chapter of our partnership with Qatar Airways. This partnership will significantly enhance connectivity especially across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, expanding our flight offerings, and opening up a world of new destinations for our customers to explore. Together with Qatar Airways, we are dedicated to providing our customers with easy access to a variety of destinations, paired with better connectivity and a seamless travel experience.”

 

Today’s announcement enables Qatar Airways to continue expanding its footprint within the African continent, providing passengers from more than 170 destinations across the globe with easier access to key leisure and business destinations served by Kenya Airways, including Lilongwe, Livingstone, Juba, Nampula, Ndola, and Victoria Falls.

 

Similarly, Kenya Airways passengers will now be able to connect to multiple destinations in 10 countries across Asia and the Middle East through Hamad International Airport, named the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years. These destinations include Bahrain, Colombo, Islamabad, Karachi, Malé, Tokyo Narita, and Singapore.
Additionally, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will earn Avios on the codeshare flights operated by Kenya Airways.

 

 

The two airlines will continue to collaborate on codeshares, airport operations, lounges, sustainability and procurement. Other future phases and areas of collaboration will include network development, cargo, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

Kenya Airways codeshares on Qatar Airways routes

Bahrain, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Doha (Qatar), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Islamabad and Karachi (Pakistan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Malé (Maldives), Muscat (Oman), Singapore, and Tokyo Narita (Japan).

Qatar Airways codeshares on Kenya Airways routes

Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Lilongwe (Malawi), Livingstone (Zambia), Juba (South Sudan), Nampula (Mozambique), and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

*Some flights are subject to government approvals.

 

 

About Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways (KQ), The Pride of Africa, is a leading African carrier on a mission to propel Africa’s prosperity by connecting its people, cultures, and markets. We fly to 45 destinations worldwide, 37 of which are in Africa, connecting over 5 million passengers and over 70,000 Tons of cargo annually through our Hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

As the sole African carrier in the SkyTeam Alliance, we open up a world of possibilities for our customers, connecting them to over 1,060 destinations in 173 countries. We take pride in offering a delightful flying experience with a caring African touch. Our exceptional African hospitality has consistently earned us global recognition including the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards where we were honoured with the Best Airline Staff and Best Airline Cabin Crew in Africa in 2024.

 

 

About Qatar Airways

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways was previously named the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.

The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, and has yet again received recognition for ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’. As the leading connector in the region, Qatar Airways has also been lauded with the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ title for the 13 time.

Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row, as voted by Skytrax. Hamad International Airport has previously been named the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Qatar Airways was the first Airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.

Online Poster by — October 21, 2025 in Aviation
Sterling Bank Leads Africa’s Green Revolution… With Agriculture Summit Africa 2025

Amaka Obiefuna
 Africa’s agricultural rebirth gathers momentum as Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, the continent’s foremost platform for advancing sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation, returns under the bold theme ‘Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny’.
Scheduled for November 6–7, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, ASA 2025 is set to spotlight financing pathways to drive sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
Now in its eighth year and convened by Sterling Bank, the summit will bring together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, investors, and innovators from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative solutions to the continent’s agricultural challenges.
Furthermore, the event will foster collaboration and innovation, examining how green finance, digital tools, and climate-smart practices can transform Africa into the world’s next agricultural powerhouse.
Addressing attendees at the press conference to announce plans for the summit, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, emphasised the Bank’s purpose for convening the summit, noting that, “At Sterling, we believe Africa’s food future will be secured not by chance but by deliberate, collective effort.”
“Our commitment is rooted in the conviction that agriculture is central to Africa’s transformation, socially, economically, and environmentally. ASA 2025 is a platform that has galvanised this transformation by uniting policymakers, innovators, and investors around one shared goal: reclaiming Africa’s food destiny through sustainability and innovation.”
With over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a rapidly growing population, Africa holds immense potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse.
However, productivity challenges, limited access to finance, and the escalating impacts of climate change continue to hinder food security. ASA 2025 will leverage multi-sector partnerships and policy alignment to accelerate the continent’s transition from dependence to self-sufficiency.
“This year’s theme, ‘Survival of the Greenest,’ underscores both the urgency and the unique opportunity before us,” commented Olushola Obikanye, Group Head, Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank. “Africa’s food future lies in sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.
ASA provides a platform where governments, financiers, innovators, and farmers can engage meaningfully to design solutions that strengthen agricultural value chains, unlock financing, and foster inclusion. Agriculture is not just an economic imperative; it is the heartbeat of Africa’s transformation,” he added.
The two-day event will host delegates from over 30 African countries, providing valuable opportunities for networking, policy engagement, and investment facilitation among agribusinesses, innovators, and financiers enabling access to capital.
The event will also feature high-level panels, keynote addresses, policy dialogues, exhibitions, and an Investment Deal Room (a marketplace designed to connect investors with viable agribusiness ventures and initiatives).
Sunbeth Global Concepts, a global agro-commodities sourcing and trading company, will co-convene the summit, contributing its expertise in agribusiness strategy, capacity building, and development partnerships.
Eyitemi Adebowale, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Sunbeth, spoke to the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, saying, “We are proud to co-convene ASA 2025 because we believe the future of Africa’s development is rooted in sustainable agriculture. Through this summit, we aim to spotlight solutions that empower farmers, attract investment, and promote climate-smart practices that build resilience across the continent.”
With strategic partners including Mastercard, which will lead discussions on digital tools for agricultural transformation, ASA 2025 is poised to ignite a movement toward innovation and financial inclusion within the agricultural sector.
Other key sponsors and partners include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Alternative Bank, Arzikin Noma, ONE Foundation, Noor Takaful, Bühler, and many others.
About Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA)
Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) is the continent’s foremost platform for advancing agricultural innovation, investment, and sustainability. It brings together leaders from government, business, and development sectors to foster collaboration, share insights, and drive action toward a resilient, inclusive agricultural future for Africa.
Interested participants and organisations can register at www.agricsummit.org.
About Sterling Bank Limited
Sterling Bank Limited is a full-service national commercial bank in Nigeria and a member of Sterling Financial Holdings Group. With a heritage of over 60 years, the bank has evolved from Nigeria’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a trusted provider of retail, commercial, and corporate banking services.
Sterling is a forward-thinking financial institution committed to transforming lives through innovative solutions, exceptional service, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast focus on its HEART strategy, which centers on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. As pioneers in digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling continues to lead by example, showing how purpose-driven leadership can deliver transformative outcomes for individuals, businesses, and society at large.
Guided by a culture of innovation and a passion for excellence, Sterling Bank remains dedicated to redefining the banking experience for millions of customers across Nigeria.
Online Poster by — October 21, 2025 in Agriculture
FiBOP, Urge Nigerians To Join Govt To Fast-Track Achieving $1 Trillion Economy  

By Fidelia Okafor

President of Finance and Business Online Publishers Association, FiBOP, Mr. Charles Onwuatogwu has urge the individual and corporate to join hands with the government to fast-track achieving the $1 trillion economy for Nigeria.
He made this statement while delivering his opening speech on the associations 2025 National Annual Conference  held on Saturday 18th October, 2025 at Orchid Hotels, Lekki, Lagos with the theme: Leveraging Technology Innovations, Tax Reforms And Opportunities In Renewable Energy And Agriculture To Achieve $1 Trillion Economy.
The president noted that this year’s theme is centered on one of the most pressing economic ambitions of our time – charting realistic pathways toward achieving a $1 trillion economy for Nigeria.
Mr. Onwuatuogu stated that the conference is an avenue where leading voices from government, business, technology and finance are engaged to explore actionable strategies that address infrastructure gaps, stimulate innovation, and promote inclusive growth.
He further added that it is time Nigeria takes its rightful place as an economic giant on the comity of nations, inorder to ensure better standard of living for it’s citizens, reduce brain drain and  the “jappa” syndrome to command the desired respect.
“The time to collaborate is now; individuals and corporates must all join hands with government to fast-track the attainment of the objective”
“Our discussions will also focus on diversifying the economy through technology, renewable energy, agriculture, and financial inclusion, with emphasis on accountability and sustainable investment” he said.
Onwuatogwu advise all participants to engage actively and collaboratively, as we shape ideas that will influence policy and and strengthen Nigeria’s path to prosperity.
“We are honoured to have the participation of the Federal Ministry of Finance, led by the Honorable Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun whose involvement underlines the strategic importance of this conference in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.”
He finally appreciated the partners and sponsors, whose support speaks volumes about their commitment to Nigeria’s development agenda.
FiBOP remains committed to fostering credible, data-driven reporting and dialogue to drive national development.
Online Poster by — October 21, 2025 in News
$1tn economy: NCC makes case for protection of telecom infrastructure

L – R: Mr Babatunde Apeji, Principal Manager, Projects at Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Jolaolu Fakoya, Executive Director, Technical, emPLE Life Assurance Limited and President, Nigerian Actuarial Society (NAS); Jamila Umoru, Principal Manager, Lagos Zonal Office, NCC; Mr. Charles Onwuatogwu, President of FiBOP; Mr. Ademayowa Adeduro, MD/CEO, Tangerine General Insurance; Mr Wilson Esene-Okoh, Head, Corporate Communications at Rex Insurance Limited and Mr. Titiloye, Branch Manager, Lagos Office of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) at FiBOP’s 2025 National Conference in Lagos at the weekend.

The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida has said that for the country to reach the $1 trillion economy by 2030, it needs resilient network systems that can bend without breaking, recover quickly from shocks and keep the nation connected even in times of crisis.

Maida made the declaration at the 2025 annual conference of Finance and Business Online Publishers (FIBOP) held at the weekend in Lagos under the theme ‘Leveraging technology innovations, tax reforms and opportunities in renewable energy and agriculture to achieve $1 trillion economy.’
Represented by the principal manager, projects, Mr Babatunde Apeji, the EVC who presented a paper entitled ‘Protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and Building Industry Resilience’ said the telecommunications sector “is the nervous system of our economy, without which financial inclusion, digital trade, governance, national security and e-commerce cannot thrive.
He stated that the sector contributed over 15% to Nigeria’s GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Q2 2025 report.
However, he said telecommunications infrastructure needs to be protected. According to him, the telecommunication system is under constant threat, with over 26,000 fibre cuts, vandalism incidents and theft cases recorded across operators between January and August 2025.
Maida, therefore, made a case for the protection of telecommunication infrastructure from cyber intrusions and ransomware attacks for “defending CNII is defending Nigeria’s economy.”
However, he announced that the Commission had deliberately transitioned from protection to resilience through telecommunications disaster recovery and business continuity guidelines by establishing a framework for preparedness, mutual aid agreements, rapid service restoration, and consumer education during emergencies;  cybersecurity and incident response through its Sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) and the soon-to-be-launched Cybersecurity Framework for the Telecom Industry as well as building a frontline defence that can anticipate, detect, and contain threats.
The other measures include the Commission’s major network outage portal that ensures operators report significant disruptions, while consumers are kept informed and compensated where necessary; stronger infrastructure standards; enhanced compliance checklists for Tower Companies (TowerCos), requiring robust site security, redundant power systems, and climate-resilient designs; mandatory solar backup, dual backhaul, and community partnerships to ensure connectivity is not lost in underserved areas.
Nevertheless, the EVC said the government has to prioritise CNII protection in national defence and infrastructure planning and also called on security agencies to treat telecom assets with the same urgency as oil pipelines or power grids.
In addition, he said industry operators must invest in redundancy and joint monitoring, moving beyond siloed approaches while communities and citizens should see telecom assets in their vicinity as lifelines, not targets by guarding them as they would their own homes.
“The NCC is committed to driving this economic vision for our country. But commitment must be matched with collaboration. Together—with government’s support, industry innovation, security vigilance, and community participation, we will secure Nigeria’s digital backbone, protect our national lifelines, and lay the foundation for sustainable growth. Together, we will secure Nigeria’s future—and deliver on the promise of a trillion-dollar economy,” Maida said.
Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in News
NCC Seeks For Protection of Critical Digital Infrastructure to Drive $1 Trillion Economy

 By Fidelia Okafor 

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), describing it as central to Nigeria’s quest for a $1 trillion economy.

Speaking at the 2025 Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) Conference in Lagos, themed “Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and Building Industry Resilience,” Maida said Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is the invisible backbone driving every sector of the economy from banking and trade to education and national security.

“When we talk about a $1 trillion economy, we often mention oil, agriculture, or manufacturing. But the real backbone of all these sectors today is our digital infrastructure,” he said.

According to Maida, telecommunications currently contributes over 15 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, underscoring its pivotal role in national development. However, he warned that the sector remains under threat, revealing that more than 26,000 incidents of fibre cuts, vandalism, and theft were recorded across telecom operators between January and August 2025.

He noted that such attacks, coupled with cyber intrusions and ransomware threats, pose a serious risk to the economy and must be confronted decisively.

Dr. Maida in his paper presentation outlined a five-pronged strategy through his representative Babatunde Apeji that the NCC has adopted to protect CNII: regulation and enforcement, public awareness, collaboration with security and government agencies, stakeholder mediation, and when necessary deployment of security forces to deter vandalism and sabotage.

He disclosed that telecom infrastructure has been formally designated as a national security asset under President Bola Tinubu’s directive and the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act.

Beyond protection, Maida said the Commission is shifting its focus to resilience ensuring that telecom networks can withstand and recover swiftly from disruptions. This includes implementing disaster recovery guidelines, establishing a Sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), and developing a comprehensive Cybersecurity Framework for the telecom industry.

Dr. Maida emphasized that resilience cannot be achieved in isolation, hence the NCC is collaborating with key institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to secure mobile banking systems, and with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and power distribution companies to stabilize electricity supply to telecom sites.

Dr. Maida added that state governments and local communities are being engaged to protect fibre routes and telecom towers under the CNII Presidential Order. He therefore called on FiBOP to join the NCC in creating more awareness on Nigeria’s quest for a $1 trillion economy.

Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in News
Shell Urges Sustained Actions To Position Gas As Engine Of Development  

L-R: Head , Portfolio, Regulation and Supply, Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi, Shell Nigeria Energy (SEN); President, Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) , Akachukwu Nwokedi ; Manager, Commercial Sales and Customer Service , Ehizogie Olotu, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG); Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Eronse Amadasun , Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC);President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Uche Johnbosco; Regional Representative United Nations General Protocol( UNGP) for Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), Dr Douglas Jombo…at the Gas Investment Forum in Lagos

 

Nigeria needs sustained actions to attract and retain investments in the gas sector to ensure economic growth and industrialization, senior leaders of the Shell Energy Nigeria organisation said at the 3rd edition of the Gas Investment Forum which held in Lagos this week.

 

Investments in key infrastructure, consistency in policy and regulations and partnerships were highlighted as enablers for the development of the nation’s huge gas resources.

 

General Manager Shell Energy Nigeria, Markus Hector and Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) Ralph Gbobo made the remarks at separate sessions at the conference.

 

In remarks delivered on his behalf by Head, Portfolio, Regulation and Supply Chuka Amos-Ejesi, at a panel session on Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Imperative: Driving Investments through IOC–Independent Partnerships, Markus said: “There is a clear strategic case for collaboration. IOCs bring international experience, deep capital reserves, and strong technical and risk management frameworks while independents bring local insight, agility, and operational flexibility in the Nigerian context.”

 

He said such “partnerships must also build domestic capacity — in engineering, supply chain, operations, and maintenance.”

 

Earlier in his own remarks at the opening ceremony, Ralph said SNG was developing infrastructure by building gas hubs in Port Harcourt, Aba, Ota, and recently, Yenagoa and hopes to extend to other cities.

He described infrastructure “as the backbone of Nigeria’s gas industrialisation journey, saying investments in this area “will not only improve access but also reduce costs and emissions, making gas a more viable option for industries and communities.”

 

Ralph said policy clarity and consistency is essential for attracting long-term capital while “effective collaboration is the catalyst for scale and innovation.”

 

He added: “The opportunities are immense, gas will continue to support Nigeria’s energy transition, providing reliable power while displacing more carbon-intensive fuels, enhance job creation, industrial diversification, and regional trade. The success of these levers will be a collaborative effort from both the public and private sectors.”

 

The Gas Investment Forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders on investment opportunities across the gas value chain—upstream, midstream and downstream.

Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in News
Professionalism, Ethical Conduct, Non Negotiable – SEC Tells Stockbrokers 

The Securities and Exchange Commisison has urged stockbrokers to uphold the highest level of professionalism and ethical conduct at all times in a bid to ensure a fair and transparent market.

Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who stated this weekend during the 29th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Abuja, said investors must have full confidence that the intermediaries who manage their wealth are guided by the highest standards of honesty and competence.

Agama said the theme of this year’s conference: “Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, Sustainable Era: Pathways for Economic Transformation” is timely as it speaks directly to the global transition where technology drives innovation, where ethics anchor trust, and where sustainability defines the future of finance.

“These three dimensions—digitalization, ethics, and sustainability—are not separate pillars; they form the foundation of a modern, inclusive, and resilient capital markets.

“Across the world, capital markets are being reshaped by technological innovation. The digital era has introduced new possibilities—from online trading platforms and digital assets to data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. These innovations are changing how we raise capital, how we invest, and how we supervise.

The SEC Boss stated that the Commission has embraced this transformation as an opportunity to enhance efficiency, transparency, and investor protection adding that ongoing efforts to strengthen market surveillance systems, automate regulatory processes, and introduce risk-based supervision frameworks are all aimed at positioning the Nigerian capital market for the realities of a digital economy.

He said, “We are also actively engaging with stakeholders: including the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, to deepen digital literacy and capacity-building across the market. As technology evolves, so must our skills, our ethics, and our shared commitment to fairness and professionalism.

“No amount of innovation can replace the foundational importance of ethics. A truly transformative capital market must be builton integrity, transparency, and accountability.

He said the CIS has remained a key partner in this regard, setting professional standards and upholding the code of ethics that define the stockbroking profession.

“As regulators, we continue to emphasize that professionalism and ethical conduct are non-negotiable. Investors must have full confidence that the intermediaries who manage their wealth are guided by the highest standards of honesty and competence.

“Together, the SEC and the CIS must continue to strengthen ethics education, continuous professional development, and disciplinary frameworks to ensure that the market remains a place of trust”. He added.

Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in Capital Market
NAPHARM Reiterates Its Commitment To Advancing Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector

NAPharm EXCO with the newly Inducted 2025 Fellows at the Old Great Hall ,College of Medicine, Unilag, Idi-Araba.

By Winifred Bosa

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has restated its commitment to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system and promoting national development through pharmaceutical innovation.
This reaffirmation came during the Academy’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Valedictory Session in honour of its founding president, Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, and the Investiture Ceremony for newly elected Fellows.
The two-day event, held from Wednesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, drew leading voices from the healthcare, academic, and professional sectors.
This year’s gathering was anchored on the timely and transformative theme:
“Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
The series of events brought together distinguished leaders, professionals, policymakers, and scholars from across Nigeria and the global pharmaceutical community to reflect on how innovation in pharmacy and healthcare can drive economic diversification, job creation, and national progress.
A Celebration of Legacy and Leadership
The 2025 edition was particularly significant as it featured a Valedictory Session in honour of the late Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, FNAPharm, was the revered founding President of the Academy and a towering figure whose vision, mentorship, and integrity shaped generations of pharmacists and national leaders.
Fellows and dignitaries offered passionate tributes to Chief Akinkugbe’s legacy of excellence, enduring influence on healthcare systems, and lifelong commitment to professionalism, ethics, and nation-building.
Speaking at the Valedictory Session, Prof. Lere Baale, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NAPHARM, described Chief Akinkugbe as “a pharmacist, leader, and statesman whose life exemplified grace, discipline, and visionary service to humanity.”
Keynote Address: Innovation as an Engine of Growth
The highlight of the Investiture Ceremony was the Keynote Address delivered by Mr Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of First HoldCo Plc, who spoke on “Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
In his address, Mr Oyedeji underscored the critical role of research, local manufacturing, digital health, and investment in building a resilient pharmaceutical value chain that supports Nigeria’s industrial and health security goals.
He emphasised that “pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs but also about creating an ecosystem that supports knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across public and private sectors.”
He called on government, academia, investors, and practitioners to align strategies to harness Nigeria’s demographic advantage and intellectual capital for sustainable development.
New Fellows Inducted into the Academy
A significant highlight of the event was the induction of new Fellows into the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy. These distinguished professionals were recognised for their outstanding contributions to pharmacy education, research, practice, policy, and entrepreneurship.
The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include:
Pharm. Dr Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Adenike Olubisi Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi; Pharm. Dr Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty; Pharm. Dr Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; Pharm. Dr Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.
4 Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The 3 Lifetime Achievements Awardees were Pharm Prof Gabriel Osuide, Pharm Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr Fidelis Ayebae.
Prof. Lere Baale, while congratulating the new Fellows and Lifetime Achievement Awardees, noted that “the Academy remains a think tank for advancing pharmaceutical excellence, knowledge translation, and health system innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.” He urged the new Fellows to carry forward the ideals of integrity, scholarship, and service that define the Academy’s ethos.
A Gathering of Excellence and Unity
The event drew a constellation of distinguished personalities from academia, industry, and government, including:
•Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, FPSN, Founding President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy;
•Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC;
•Pharm. Sir Ike Onyechi, FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm;
•Pharm. (Chief) Olubunmi Olaopa, FPSN;
•Pharm. Prof. Fola Tayo, MFR, FPSN;
•Pharm. Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, OFR, FPSN;
•and other eminent Fellows and guests.
The event featured moments of reflection, inspiring speeches, awards, and musical interludes that highlighted the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of the profession.
Advancing the Future of Pharmacy and National Development
The 2025 AGM and Investiture reaffirmed the Academy’s mission as a beacon of thought leadership and advocacy for integrating pharmaceutical science into national development planning.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Baale noted:
“Pharmacy holds the power to shape the future of Nigeria’s healthcare, innovation, and industrial growth. When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are not just advancing science — we are securing our nation’s health, economy, and dignity.”
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and policy advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in News
NAFDAC Urges Stakeholders To Address Nigeria’s Vaccine Manufacturing Hurdles

NAFDAC to drug firms: Invest now or Nigeria will miss vaccine future…Says Agency Already Has Strengthened Regulatory System for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Through Restructuring and Global Benchmarking.
 
By Winifred Bosa 
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has challenged manufacturers of pharmaceutical products in the country to take the necessary investment decisions that will facilitate the production of human vaccines in Nigeria.
She warned that Nigeria should not wait for another pandemic before it gets prepared and avoid being caught unawares, as witnessed during COVID-19, when the country depended on international donors to survive the scourge.
As was contained in a press release by Sayo Akintola
Resident Media Consultant NAFDAC, the DG explained,
“When I came to NAFDAC, we had the Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate, which was in charge of registration of all NAFDAC-regulated products, meaning the registration of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, herbal medicines, vaccines, veterinary products, pesticides, and other finished chemicals was under one Director, which made the system susceptible to ineffectiveness and corruption”
“I first carved out the Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate, and what was left over was still huge. Adding that if you want good governance and leadership, you must have governable units, governable groups. One Director overseeing seven regulated products will not achieve the necessary efficiency. “
“That was why we knew that we had to separate vaccines and medical devices from the Drug Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate.
NAFDAC became Maturity Level 3 in 2022 for medicines and imported vaccines. For NAFDAC to be benchmarked for vaccines, biologics and medical devices, she explained that we had to have a separate Directorate headed by a director to ensure that we align with international best practices, and we are operating at the same level as advanced countries of the world.
She disclosed that the Agency had to separate Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices in November 2024 to form one directorate, following the Head of Service of the Federations assessment, evaluation, and sanction, to ensure that it would be a viable Directorate with operating units. “
The DG expressed the hope that the nation would manufacture vaccines before she leaves office, saying that It will be exciting news for me, because during the pandemic we were too dependent on foreign countries. We couldnt get any vaccines unless from outside the country.
That was when the preparedness for epidemics became a reality for us.
She stated that the Agency now has guidelines for emergency preparedness for epidemics and pandemics. Still, she warned that if theres another pandemic now and Nigeria is not yet manufacturing human vaccines, despite having manufactured veterinary vaccines since 1924, the country will again be at the mercy of other countries.
During the pandemic, we ran up and down to see whether we could start manufacturing vaccines, but things did not work out, she said, adding that we must decide as a country that we will not be too dependent on others. We will manufacture our own.
 According to her, there has been a movement to do that, but this has not come to reality. Thats why I pray that before my tenure is over, we will be manufacturing vaccines.
According to her, any country that wants to manufacture vaccines that will be pre-qualified by the WHO must have a regulatory system with at least Maturity Level 3 status. She added that the fact that we now have ML3 for medicines and imported vaccines in 2022 brought us to the discussion of manufacturing vaccines.
She explained that, as a country, we had to fulfil the requirements of nine modules in the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool, one of which is Licensing Establishments for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), and NAFDAC had the remaining eight.
She pointed out that the ML3 we achieved was for seven of the eight, emphasizing that we have not been benchmarked for locally manufactured vaccines.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC is the only National Regulatory Agency (NRA) in sub-Saharan Africa that has an in-house laboratory for vaccines, biologics, and medical devices.
She said the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has a laboratory for vaccines but contracted it out to private operators.
We are working towards getting our ML3 for locally manufactured vaccines. We already have ML3 for medicines and imported vaccines since 2022.
 WHO came last year, they saw everything that we have as a regulatory agency on indicators for vaccine Lot Release; we have almost satisfied everything except that the country must manufacture vaccines because its when we manufacture vaccines that we can do local facility inspections.
She said NAFDAC has been conducting Lot Release testing on imported vaccines in her lab for years, adding that the WHO wants to know that we can also effectively monitor locally manufactured ones.
 This is where we are as a country, and I pray that within a short time, we will be able to manufacture our own vaccines.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Khadijah Ade-Abolade, Director of Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Registration and Regulatory Affairs, stated that the federal government is playing a strategic role to ensure that local vaccine manufacturing takes off in the country.
She stated that the policy has been established, and support is being provided to ensure that vaccine manufacturing takes off in Nigeria.
According to her, the important thing is the regulatory framework, which is already established by NAFDAC and is well-functioning for imported vaccines, and which will also be applied to local vaccines when manufacturing starts in the country.
All the required regulatory functions for the regulation of vaccines are already available. We have our market authorisation, which is the registration that we do; the Inspectorate arm of the Agency conducts regulatory inspections.
We have Clinical trial oversight, which is crucial for vaccine regulation, as well as Post-Market Surveillance and Pharmacovigilance, because we need to monitor the safety and efficacy of our vaccines.
Mrs. Ade-Abolade maintained that the regulatory system for local vaccine manufacture is already well established in the country, stressing that We are just waiting for the manufacturing operations to start by the manufacturers.
“The Director General further emphasized that we have the capability to manufacture vaccines.
The country can start with Fill and Finish while planning on the greenfield.
We have sound scientists. We have our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is encouraging local manufacturing as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Now is the time to get it done.”
Online Poster by — October 20, 2025 in News