Top 10 Best Universities To Study Pharmacy In Nigeria (2024)

There are many top universities in Nigeria that offers pharmacy as a science/medical course. Although, the requirements to study pharmacy in Nigeria in these tertiary institutions might seem daunting, it won’t stop JAMB students from selecting these universities as their first and second choice option when filling out their UTME forms for admission.

If you put pharmacy as your main course of study during JAMB registration, you should be aware that not all Nigerian universities have accredited pharmaceutical departments or faculties. There is also a striking difference in the type of degree awarded if you graduate from any of the best universities in Nigeria to study pharmacy.

From our research, among the 10 best pharmacy schools in Nigeria today, its only three universities that award graduates with the “Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD)” as first degree. This is in contrast to the normal or popular “Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (BPharm)” that other schools award their graduates.

So which among the two degrees is higher? Without doubt, a student who graduates with the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree is higher and more respected in the medical field than one who graduates with an ordinary Bachelor of Pharmacy degree.

Pharmacy is one of the most respected and professional courses in Nigeria that deals with the study of drugs. Pharmacy graduates are medical professionals mostly employed in top pharmaceutical companies. The take home pay of these professionals per month is high when compared to the salary of a biochemist or even a medical doctor.

In this post, we provide the best 10 universities in Nigeria to study pharmacy as a course this 2024 which are accredited.

TOP 10 BEST UNIVERSITIES TO STUDY PHARMACY IN NIGERIA

THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA (UNN)

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is regarded as the best school that you can study pharmacy in the country today. This university is among the top three universities that bestows on graduates,  doctor of pharmacy degree as a first degree in pharmacy upon successful completion of their five year course.

The cut-off mark to gain admission into UNN and study pharmacy can be pegged at 250 and above. This means that if you score 260, 280 or 250 as your JAMB score, you are liable to get admitted and study pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The duration of studying pharmacy at UNN lasts for five years, in which students will graduate at the end of the programme aside internship. Prospective students who select this school as a first institution of choice won’t regret as they have good lecturers and research facilities to aid you in getting the desired quality education you seek for.

The following departments are accredited and available in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UNN:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Pharmacognosy
• Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management
• Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Industrial Pharmacy

THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN (UNIBEN)

UNIBEN is another top university to study pharmacy in Nigeria and has been rated to be among the first choice course of study among prospective pharmacy students who wants to write JAMB/UTME exams.

Prior to the National Universities Commission (NUC), formally approving the PharmD degree programme at The University of Benin in 2016, the regulatory agency for pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) approved the right for UNIBEN to offer this undergraduate degree, making this school the second academic institution to award the PharmD degree.

Students who opt to study the PharmD programme are trained extensively, given didactic preclinical, clinical preparation, pharmaceutical care and are trained in community pharmacies. They are also trained to provide patients counseling, drug prescription information and ADR reporting if possible.

It should be noted that the duration of study to earn the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the University of Benin, is six (6) years. Students are awarded both Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree and the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Kindly note that offering PharmD degree programme is the minimum educational qualification and requirement for both registering and licensing fresh graduates from pharmacy schools in Nigeria.

At the faculty of pharmacy, UNIBEN, the following departments are available:

• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice
• Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology

BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO (BUK)

This is the best school in the north to put as first choice to study pharmacy in the country. Just like UNIBEN and UNN listed above, Bayero University is also among the only three exclusive Nigerian universities that awards the doctor of pharmacy degree also.

With state of the art facilities and experienced lecturers and professors, you can be sure that studying pharmacy in BUK is worth it, since the best minds are mostly given admission to study pharmacy. The JAMB cut-off to gain admission to study this course is usually pegged at 250 and above.

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN (UI)

UI is one of those prestigious universities that awards the Bachelor of Pharmacy, BPharm degree, just like other Nigerian universities that would be listed thereof. UI ranks as the best university in Nigeria currently and is among the universities in the country that you can study pharmacy this 2024.

With over 60 lecturers, few well rounded professors in the field, this school has churned out quality pharmacist that have greatly contributed to society at large, the pharmacy profession and practice in the medical industry.

The Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP) is also located at the UI faculty of pharmacy.

The faculty of pharmacy at the University Of Ibadan has six accredited departments and they are:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration
• Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU)

OAU is also ranked as one of the few best federal universities to study pharmacy or any other related course in the country. The history of this faculty started in 1957. Formerly a department, the school awarded Diploma in Pharmacy degree until it had the privilege of  awarding Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in March 1963.

Today, the faculty of pharmacy in OAU has the Drug Research and Production Unit, which caters for research findings in the faculty. There is also the department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration where graduates are trained to be better equipped with scientific knowledge, professional skills that would improve Nigeria’s health sector.

Other departments at the OAU faculty of pharmacy, Ile-Ife include:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacognosy

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS (UNILAG)

UNILAG’s faculty of pharmacy has been labelled among the top pharmacy schools in the country that you can study at. They are known to produce seasoned professional pharmacists, training students from the graduate level to even masters and PH.D (undergraduate levels).

If you are looking for a top school for students to acquire a BPharm degree in pharmacy, then the University of Lagos should be your destination. In 1980, the faculty of pharmacy at UNILAG was established as an academic institution in the college of medicine. The undergraduate programme in pharmacy at UNILAG helps equip individuals for the profession of pharmacy via education of various clinical topics.

All departments registered at the faculty of pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG) include:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy
• Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Pharmacy Practice and Management

The aim is to ensure that pharmacists at UNILAG are better trained with sufficient knowledge to meet the demands and challenges of an ever growing health care delivery system. In fact, aside all other pharmaceutical services in Nigeria, students are trained to:

• Prepare drugs for administration suitable for use.
• Source for drug materials.
• Ensure that the right drugs are distributed to the customers
• Carry out surveillance procedures to help reduce misuse and drug abuse.
• Provide professional information on medicine via workshops, meetings, seminars to expand pharmaceutical knowledge.
• Monitor drug usage by patients.
• Procurement and dispensing of available drugs when needed.
• Orientate patients on the proper use of drug prescription and various medication.
• Provide information of drugs to other health professionals in the medical line.

THE UNIVERSITY OF JOS (UNIJOS)

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIJOS has qualified lecturers, modern research facilities and a conducive learning environment to aid in learning. In this federal school, the BPharm degree is also awarded to graduates of this discipline.

Below are the various departments at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIJOS:

• Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmacology
• Biotechnology Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA (NAU)

It is no surprise that drug related studies has improved since the commencement of the pharmacy programme at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2006. Gaining admission into this discipline can be a heinous task but not impossible

For students writing JAMB, subject combination is usually science related and cut-off pegged at 250 and above. The field of pharmacy in Nigeria owes its success to this school who train world class pharmacists at their Agulu campus with the best pharmacy practices and ethics recognized globally.

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA (ABU)

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU Zaria) has five departments that are dully registered under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

They include:

• Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Pharmacognosy and Drug Development
• Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
• Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice

This university has what it takes to merit its place among the best schools in the country offering pharmacy through its pharmacy undergraduate programme.

With the award of degree of B.Pharm upon graduation, students are trained to be better pharmacist, helping to improve the healthcare sector through research, drug education and  innovative pharmaceutical education.

OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY (OOU)

You can also obtain your BPharm from OOU since its one of the best universities to study pharmacy. Departments like Biopharmacy, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology can be found in the faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU)

CONCLUSION

Due to the vastness of Pharmacy as a course, most universities in the country have areas of specialization which students are advised to choose from. Whichever pharmacy schools in Nigeria you pick, be sure that you carry out your research concerning such schools, their fees, JAMB cut-off and other useful information about them and compare with other schools offering pharmacy in the whole of Nigeria.

Pharmacy is a medical discipline that bargains on medications and prescriptions. It involves tranquilize disclosure, advancement, structure, and plan including administering drugs and creatures for improving the health of the populace.

This has been our take on the top best universities to study pharmacy in Nigeria.