The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued a strong-worded petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Federal Government of allowing medical doctors to monopolize both the health and education sectors, to the detriment of national growth and other professional disciplines.
The petition, signed by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharmacist Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, was made available to the media on Wednesday and outlined a series of grievances that pharmacists say are threatening professionalism, equity, and development within Nigeria’s public service structure.
In the detailed correspondence, Pharmacist Ezeh stated that the Federal Government under President Tinubu has continued a legacy of what he termed “unwholesome submission to blackmail tactics” employed by physician-led associations. He specifically mentioned the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) as culprits in allegedly using their influence to subjugate other healthcare and educational professionals.
“The persistent monopolization of leadership and influence in both the health and education sectors by physician-dominated associations is troubling,” Ezeh declared. “It is nothing short of McCarthyism at work—a monopolistic stranglehold that subdues every other discipline and silences diverse professional input critical for a robust and effective system.”
The ACPN Chairman pointed out that the ongoing discrimination against other health professionals, particularly pharmacists, has led to deep-seated discontent and inefficiencies in the public health structure. He expressed dismay over what he described as the abuse of authority by Chief Executive Officers of public hospitals, many of whom are medical doctors.
“In recent cases, we’ve seen Grade Level 17 officers being punished and replaced with juniors simply because they upheld professional standards that conflict with the personal interests of these CEOs,” Ezeh noted. “This is unacceptable and a blatant abuse of power.”
Ezeh further expressed concern that the unchecked dominance by a single professional group has created disparities in remuneration and advancement across both health and academic institutions.
“We are calling on President Tinubu to address the growing inequality in remuneration across professional divides. It is demoralizing to see pharmacists and other vital health professionals treated as second-class citizens in a sector that thrives on collaboration,” he said.
According to him, allowing such imbalances to continue threatens the collective goal of national development and undermines merit-based governance. He warned that the country cannot achieve its developmental aspirations if such systemic bias persists.
“National growth and development will become stunted if the Federal Government does not wield the big stick,” Ezeh stressed. “The time to act is now, in the public interest.”
The ACPN petition also called on the President to revisit the appointment processes within public health and education sectors, ensuring transparency, equity, and adherence to proper regulatory frameworks.
“Most public sector appointments are guided by statutory conditions precedent, which validate their legality and appropriateness,” the petition read. “However, in recent years, we’ve seen appointments that completely disregard these legal boundaries—an ineptitude that continues to erode the moral standing of our public institutions.”
Pharmacist Ezeh maintained that if urgent action is not taken to correct the trajectory, Nigeria’s health and education systems could face even deeper fractures. He also emphasized the critical role of pharmacists in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery, urging the government to empower and adequately compensate them in line with their professional responsibilities.
“We cannot continue to operate a healthcare system where only one profession dominates leadership, policy direction, and administrative control,” Ezeh stated. “Healthcare delivery is a multidisciplinary effort, and it must be treated as such for the sake of patients and the future of the country.”
The association expressed its disappointment that even after years of advocacy, successive administrations have failed to address the underlying issues of professional imbalance, especially within government-run facilities and training institutions.
“The government’s tendency to appease a single group at the expense of others shows a lack of political will to foster inclusive progress,” Ezeh said. “If we truly want a healthcare system that works, then fairness and equity must become the cornerstones of administration.”
While the ACPN did not issue an ultimatum or declare industrial action, it called for an immediate presidential intervention to halt what it called a dangerous trend. The association is urging President Tinubu to launch a comprehensive review of public health sector governance and include pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, and other health workers in key decision-making roles.
“We urge His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to demonstrate bold leadership by breaking the monopoly and creating a level playing field for all health professionals,” the ACPN said. “This will not only strengthen our health system but will also restore faith among professionals who currently feel marginalized and demotivated.”
The petition has already begun sparking conversation among stakeholders in the health and education sectors. Several observers say the issues raised by the ACPN highlight a broader systemic imbalance that has long been ignored.
With rising tension across the health workforce over pay disparities, recognition, and leadership roles, many will be watching closely to see whether President Tinubu responds decisively to this latest call for reform.
In the meantime, ACPN continues to advocate for greater visibility, equity, and recognition for pharmacists, insisting that their expertise and commitment to public health deserve a more prominent place in Nigeria’s health development strategy.
