AKWA IBOM STATE BRANCH
ONE YEAR OF IMPACT
28 October 2025 – 28 October 2026
Delivering within one year through strategic partnerships, professional development, public health advocacy, research, digital transformation, member welfare and institutional reform.
ONE YEAR OF IMPACT: ACPN AKWA IBOM STATE BRANCH LEADERSHIP DELIVERS ON ITS MANIFESTO
As the leadership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Akwa Ibom State Branch marks its first anniversary in office on 28 October 2026, the year under review stands out as a period of strategic reforms, professional advancement, institutional strengthening, advocacy, research, partnerships and measurable impact.
Within just one year, the leadership has delivered on the majority of the commitments contained in its manifesto, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to transforming the Association, strengthening the community pharmacy profession and expanding the contribution of community pharmacists to public health in Akwa Ibom State.
The achievements recorded during the year reflect an approach anchored on capacity building, digital transformation, strategic partnerships, research and policy advocacy, member welfare, public health engagement and institutional development.
Strategic Partnerships: Building Capacity and Sustainability
Recognizing that sustainable institutional development requires collaboration beyond the Association itself, the leadership strengthened existing relationships while establishing new strategic partnerships with professional firms, pharmaceutical companies, corporate organizations and individuals.
Historically, the Association has partnered with Emmanuel Clement Akpan & Co. (Chartered Accountants) and A.T. Asikpo & Co. (Chartered Accountants) to build the capacity of members on tax awareness, tax compliance and financial responsibilities.
These partnerships have contributed significantly to improving members’ understanding of taxation and regulatory compliance while supporting the Association’s broader professional development objectives.
The leadership also continued to cultivate partnerships with numerous pharmaceutical companies, corporate organizations and individuals to ensure the sustainability of the Association’s flagship annual scientific conference, the ACPN Ibom Day.
Media Advocacy: Taking Pharmacy and Public Health to the Public
The leadership has sustained the Association’s commitment to media advocacy and public health education through regular radio engagements.
The Association has ensured the continuity of its weekly radio programmes, providing platforms where erudite and experienced community pharmacists discuss a broad range of health-related topics and provide evidence-based health information to the public.
The branch has maintained relationships with XL 106.9 FM Uyo, Inspiration 105.9 FM Uyo, Memories 96.5 FM Uyo, ADBN TV Uyo and Heritage 104.9 FM Eket, creating a broad media platform through which community pharmacists can contribute to public health discourse.
These engagements have strengthened the visibility of community pharmacists while providing members of the public with accessible health education on medicines, disease prevention, responsible medicine use and other public health issues.
A Stronger Cooperative: Over ₦9 Million in Member-Owned Assets
One of the notable institutional assets strengthened during the period is the Ibom Cooperative Society Limited, which was fully digitalized following its launch by the Association in 2023.
The Cooperative is now valued at over ₦9 million, representing a significant financial asset for participating members.
Beyond asset growth, the Cooperative has continued to provide loans to members at near-zero interest rates, creating an important financial support mechanism within the profession.
The continued development of the Cooperative reflects the Association’s commitment to creating practical economic and welfare structures that directly benefit its members.
ACPN Ibom Day 2026: A Landmark Scientific and Professional Conference
The leadership organized a high-profile scientific conference at Ibom Hall, Uyo, in June 2026, tagged ACPN Ibom Day 2026.
The conference brought together community pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, corporate organizations, regulatory stakeholders and other professionals for a comprehensive programme of professional and public health activities.
- Scientific lectures and professional training
- Exhibitions by pharmaceutical companies
- Company presentations
- A townhall meeting
- Award presentations
- The grand finale of the Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition (ADASC)
The conference demonstrated the Association’s ability to convene stakeholders around issues affecting pharmacy practice, public health and the future of the profession.
Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition: From Local Initiative to National Recognition
A particularly significant achievement during the year was the continued expansion of the Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition (ADASC).
As part of the 2026 programme, the Association reached 52 schools, with 25 schools submitting entries for the competition.
Following the competitive stages, five finalist schools participated in the grand finale held during ACPN Ibom Day 2026.
The initiative was designed to engage secondary school students in drug-abuse prevention through creative educational activities and to encourage the establishment of sustainable anti-substance-abuse structures within schools.
The impact of ADASC extended beyond Akwa Ibom State. The Association sponsored the winner of the competition, Master KiniAbasi Ubong David, to represent Akwa Ibom State at the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition (NADAC) held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center, Abuja.
The initiative subsequently achieved national recognition when the Akwa Ibom State Branch emerged as the winner of the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition (NADAC) at the ACPN National Conference in Abuja.
Research and Policy Development
The leadership also prioritized research as a foundation for evidence-based advocacy and professional development.
The ACPN Research Unit concluded and submitted two research manuscripts for publication during the period under review. The manuscripts are currently undergoing peer review and are at various stages of the publication process.
In addition, one of the studies was presented as a poster presentation at the ACPN National Conference in Abuja, providing an opportunity for the research work of the Akwa Ibom Branch to receive national professional exposure.
Two further research studies undertaken by the ACPN Research Unit are at various stages of progress.
Tax Capacity Building: 141 Members Trained
The Association’s commitment to professional capacity development was also evident in its tax compliance initiative.
Through the programme, 141 members were trained and certified in self-tax filing skills, equipping pharmacists with practical knowledge required to manage their tax obligations more effectively.
Furthermore, 59 members had their tax records regularized with the Nigerian Revenue Service.
These outcomes represent a practical intersection between professional development, regulatory compliance and responsible business practice.
Advocacy for Inclusion in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme
The leadership has continued to make a strong case for the full inclusion of community pharmacies in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
Advocacy visits were made to the Commissioner for Health and the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA) to advance discussions on the participation of community pharmacies in the state’s health insurance architecture.
The Association’s position is anchored on the role community pharmacies can play in improving access to medicines and primary healthcare services, particularly given their accessibility within communities.
The advocacy remains ongoing as the Association continues to engage relevant stakeholders toward a framework that recognizes and integrates community pharmacies within the state’s evolving health insurance system.
Strengthening Regulatory and Inter-Agency Collaboration
The leadership also intensified engagement with key regulatory and public health institutions.
Advocacy efforts included discussions with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the potential scalability and broader institutionalization of the Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition.
The Association also engaged the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) on issues relating to the improvement of professional practice standards and the regulatory environment.
Sustaining the Clean Medicine Initiative
The Association’s commitment to promoting a safer medicines environment was further demonstrated through engagement with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The leadership visited NAFDAC to discuss the sustainability of the Association’s voluntary mop-up and forfeiture initiative, an intervention aimed at supporting efforts to remove inappropriate and unsafe medicines from circulation.
Member Welfare: Putting Pharmacists at the Centre
Beyond professional advocacy, the leadership has continued to focus on the welfare of members.
The branch has increased its welfare packages and commenced work on a group insurance initiative aimed at providing an additional layer of support and protection for members.
The welfare agenda reflects the understanding that a strong professional association must not only advocate for the profession but also provide tangible support structures for its members.
Digital Transformation: A New Era for ACPN Akwa Ibom
One of the most significant institutional reforms undertaken by the leadership is the digital transformation of the Association.
The branch launched a dedicated website, www.acpnakwaibom.org, incorporating a membership portal designed to digitalize key processes and strengthen the Association’s administrative systems.
The platform provides the foundation for more efficient member engagement, communication, documentation and administrative processes.
The transition from predominantly traditional processes toward a digitally enabled Association represents an important step in modernizing the branch and positioning it for sustainable growth.
Bye-Laws Review: Modernizing the Association’s Governance Framework
The leadership also advanced institutional reform through the review and upgrading of the Association’s governing framework.
A draft copy of the new and upgraded ACPN Akwa Ibom State Branch Bye-Laws has been completed and is currently awaiting ratification.
The review is intended to provide a more contemporary governance framework capable of supporting the Association’s evolving structures, responsibilities and operational realities.
National Recognition: A Year of Distinction
The achievements of the branch during the year translated into significant national recognition.
Winner, National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition (NADAC)
The branch emerged as the winner of the national competition through its representative, Master KiniAbasi Ubong David, following the successful implementation of the state-level ADASC programme.
ACPN 2026 State Dynamics Recognition
The branch also received recognition at the national level under the ACPN 2026 State Dynamics, emerging as the winner of the annual contest among the 37 branches of the association.
Best Performing State Branch in 2026
In recognition of the impact of its programmes and initiatives, particularly the highly impactful ADASC programme and the systematic rollout of other branch initiatives, ACPN Akwa Ibom State Branch was recognized by the ACPN National body as the Best Performing State Branch in 2026.
National Publicity Secretary
The branch also recorded another significant leadership achievement as its Immediate Past Chairman; Pharm. Tony Anderson emerged as the National Publicity Secretary of the Association.
A Year Defined by Action
The first year of the current leadership demonstrates a deliberate attempt to move the Association beyond routine professional administration toward measurable institutional development and broader public health impact.
From digital transformation and research to member welfare, taxation, advocacy, media engagement, regulatory collaboration and public health programming, the leadership has pursued a broad-based development agenda.
The success of the Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition, in particular, demonstrates how a state-level professional initiative can evolve into a nationally recognized programme.
The growth of the Ibom Cooperative Society, the launch of the membership portal, the tax capacity-building programme and the sustained media presence similarly illustrate the leadership’s emphasis on creating structures that can continue to deliver value beyond the tenure of any individual administration.
Looking Ahead
As the leadership marks its first anniversary, it recognizes that achievements recorded within one year are not the destination but a foundation for further progress.
The Association remains committed to consolidating the gains already made, completing outstanding manifesto commitments, strengthening member welfare, expanding research and advocacy, deepening strategic partnerships and positioning community pharmacists as increasingly important contributors to healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom State.
The leadership therefore looks to the future with a renewed commitment to continuous improvement, institutional sustainability, professional excellence and service to members and the public.
A Message of Appreciation
As the leadership marks one year in office, it expresses profound appreciation to all members of ACPN Akwa Ibom State Branch whose cooperation, support, participation and commitment have contributed to the achievements recorded during the year.
The leadership also appreciates the ACPN National body, regulatory agencies, government institutions, pharmaceutical companies, corporate organizations, media organizations, professional partners, schools, students, parents and other stakeholders who have supported the Association’s programmes and initiatives.
The achievements of the past year are, ultimately, a reflection of what can be accomplished when members and stakeholders work together toward a shared vision.
One year has been completed. The work continues.
ACPN Akwa Ibom State Branch
28 October 2025 – 28 October 2026
Building a stronger Association. Advancing the profession. Serving the public.
