The Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has commended the launch of Empower Academy Nigeria, describing the initiative as a timely intervention to strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical and healthcare workforce.
The Academy, established under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) in partnership with the Empower School of Health, aims to address critical skills gaps within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences sectors. Notably, the Academy will offer over 40 courses on its digital platform free of charge to Nigerians for the first two years.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Wednesday, Prof. Mustapha highlighted that Nigeria has long struggled with a disconnect between academic training and the practical demands of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. He described Empower Academy Nigeria as a deliberate response, aimed at equipping professionals with industry-aligned skills that have real-world impact.
“The Academy is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the practical needs of Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors,” he said.
Prof. Mustapha also outlined NBRDA’s ongoing initiatives in genomics research, insulin production, and the development of antiretroviral drugs for HIV, noting that these projects, along with technology transfer partnerships, are crucial to strengthening local capacity, expanding medicine production, and reducing dependence on imports.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to skills development and strategic partnerships aimed at building a resilient healthcare value chain in Nigeria.
