FG appoints Adigwe as new director general of NIPRID

The Federal Government has appointed Obi Peter Adigwe as the new director-general and chief executive officer of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID), for a term of four years with effect from 10th August, 2018.

The NIPRD was established under the Science and Technology Act of 1980 with the primary objective of developing drugs, biological products and pharmaceutical raw materials from indigenous resources.

“It is my expectation that you will not only work to ensure that you drive the research for new pharmaceutical materials, but endeavour to improve on present achievements and leave your mark of progress on that institution,” states document FDS/179/TI/304 signed by Osagie Ehanire, the minister of State for health.

Ehanire urged Adigwe to justify the confidence reposed in him by his appointment and work with all stakeholders for industrial peace and in support of the president’s change agenda.

Prior to his appointment as DG NIPRD,  Adigwe was executive secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN), where he played a key role in the development and implementation of policy initiatives which made considerable impact on the Industry.

His achievements at the PMGMAN include the prioritisation of the Pharma Industry in the 2016 Fiscal Policy, and organisation of the landmark 2017 Pharma Expo. He also made significant contributions to the conceptualisation of the internationally renowned Medicines’ Security Concept.

Adigwe, pioneer head of the Health Policy Research and Development (HPRD) Unit at the Nigerian National Assembly, where he formulated research and development strategies in Health Policy as well as developed innovative and contextual training, research and capacity building modules.

He has a significant number of peer reviewed publications including the first K.A.P. study on Ebola in Nigeria, as well as a seminal paper on Rational Use of Medicines. While in the United Kingdom, he had also co-authored a write-up that influenced an epoch-making health policy reform in the British Parliament.

Adigwe has undertaken many national assignments, headed, as well as served on numerous committees and working groups at the highest levels, such as the D8, UN, World Health Organisation, The African Union and the ECOWAS. He has won several academic honours, including the prestigious University of Leeds’ GRASS Post-Doctorate award. His appointment takes effect immediately.

ANTHONIA OBOKOH