First of all, a pharmacist is a health professional who is trained to prepare and dispense medicine. They store preserve and provide drugs for medical use they use their insight to produce and develop new drugs for humanity they are invaluable in the medical field.
Many times in Nigeria people underrate the work of pharmacists and most times people call them chemists in Nigeria and they’re not wrong at all the word “chemist” is Commonwealth English.
Studying pharmacy in a Nigerian public university is usually uncertain as you will not know the day you will graduate due to incessant strikes but pharmacy is 5 years and is an excellent course choice for science students interested in chemistry.
In this article we will be answering all questions you have about studying pharmacy in Nigeria, whether it is a good course to study in Nigeria, the requirements, the subjects needed to study it, the cost of studying pharmacy, duration of the study, best schools to study pharmacy in Nigeria, advantages, JAMB score required, the average pay of a pharmacist in Nigeria and more.
Table of Contents
Is Pharmacy a Good Course To Study In Nigeria
Yes, it is. Pharmacy is an excellent course to study in Nigeria. It is very lucrative and avails huge and vast career opportunities in Nigeria. We have career options in;
1. Community pharmacy:
In this option, you can provide licenses to a variety of pharmacies from corporate chain pharmacies to independently owned pharmacies you will also get a grant from the pharmacy you are lending your license to
The grant is usually from 500,000 Naira and above. With your license, you are recognized as the owner of the pharmacy. You will also have the opportunity to work in the pharmacy as a chief pharmacist.
2. Industrial pharmacy:
As an industrial pharmacist you get to work in big pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Johnson&Johnson, GSK, Merck, etc. These pharmaceutical companies also recruit pharmacists that are into research and not just sales. You can even work in big federal government agencies like NAFDAC and NDLEA.
3. Hospital pharmacy:
You can work in the Pharmacy department of a hospital.
What Are The Requirements For Studying Pharmacy In Nigeria
To become a pharmacist in Nigeria is not easy but I can assure you it is worth it, because it is difficult to graduate as a pharmacist with a second class lower and above and not be able to get a job in pharmacy, so what are the requirements for studying pharmacy in Nigeria? We’ll see below:
- SSCE results: WAEC or Neco or NABTEB or GCE. These results will be required of you.
- UTME/post UTME: UTME, also known as JAMB is one of the requirements needed to study pharmacy in Nigeria. You need to have a high JAMB score to stand a chance we are talking about 240 and above.
Post-UTME is the examination you write in the university after verifying your JAMB and SSCE results. It’s also called an aptitude test. Although UTME has made it optional to write post UTME some universities still require it
Requirements For direct entry students;
You will need A’level passes in these three subjects: chemistry, physics or mathematics, biology or zoology.
What Subjects Are Needed To Become A Pharmacist In Nigeria?
- English language
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Mathematics
For JAMB, the subject combination in need is;
- Use of English
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
For direct entry you need
A’level passes in chemistry, physics, maths, biology/zoology.
However to become a pharmacist in Nigeria you need to get your B. Pharm which is a bachelor of Pharmacy, after getting a bachelor of Pharmacy you will be inducted into the profession.
After this you will undergo a one-year internship program after this mandatory one-year internship program, you will then write a national exam for pharmacists which holds twice a year. The final phase before becoming a registered pharmacist in Nigeria is going for your NYSC (National Youth Service Corps)
Cost Of Studying Pharmacy In Nigeria
The cost of studying pharmacy in Nigeria depends on the university.
Some universities are very expensive while some are quite cheap. Private universities are very expensive and most public universities are cheap. The cost of studying pharmacy could range from 100,000 Naira a session to over a million Naira per semester in some universities.
Is Pharmacy Difficult To Study?
Yes, pharmacy is difficult to study and requires a lot of work, dedication, commitment, and time. With courses like pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, pharmacognosy, etc. It is not easy at all.
It is tasking and you must be prepared for it. According to stats, it is one of the most difficult courses to study in the world, and studying it in Nigeria is another issue on its own. You will be choked with so much to learn you find yourself gradually withdrawing from social activities to properly focus.
You may even find out that you start having less and less time for yourself. It is a challenging course but it will worth it in the end as you can’t graduate without getting a job in a pharmacy. It is worth it if you are ready to put in the work.
How Many Years Does It Take To Study Pharmacy?
To get a B. Pharm certificate, it takes 5 years for UTME candidates and 4 years for direct entry candidates.
Which School Is Best For Studying Pharmacy In Nigeria?
They include;
- 1. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- 2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- 3. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- 4. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- 5. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
- 6. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- 7. Federal University, Oye Ekiti
- 8. University of Ibadan (UI)
- 9. University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- 10. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- 11. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- 12. University of Lagos (UNIUYO)
- 13. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- 14. MADONNA University
Advantages Of Studying Pharmacy In Nigeria
Pharmacy in Nigeria is a very lucrative course below are some advantages;
- Pharmacists are top earners in Nigeria, a beginner pharmacist earns nothing less than a million Naira per annum in Nigeria.
- They can work in international companies such as GSK and Emzor
- They can become entrepreneurs and open a pharmacy of their own.
- They can start their own manufacturing company
- There is a huge professional growth in the career
What Is The JAMB Score For Pharmacy?
The jamb cut-off mark for pharmacy in Nigeria is 200 and above but it is better to have a score of at least 240 and above to stand a good chance of getting in.
Where do Nigerian Pharmacists Work?
- 1. They work in universities as lecturers
- 2. They work for health organizations (private and public)
- 3. They work in pharmaceutical companies
- 4. They work in pharmacy retail stores too (community pharmacists)
- 5. They work in hospitals (hospital pharmacists)
- 6. They work in government agencies.
How Much Are Nigerian Pharmacists Paid?
This usually depends on their years of experience on the job.
- A beginner pharmacist (1-4 years) will earn not less than a million Naira per annum.
- A mid-level pharmacist (5-10 years) ends about 3 million Naira per annum.
- While are the top earners (11 years and above) in about 6 million Naira per annum.
Pharmacy Is How Many Years In Nigeria?
B. Pharm is five years for UTME candidates and four years for direct entry.
