Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and Niger State Drugs and Hospital Consumables Management Agency (DMA) are set to improve access to affordable and quality drugs while creating academic opportunities for students.

The Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Umar Ndagi, said the partnership would ensure the University benefits from the supply of essential medicines at low cost with flexible payment terms.

“We want to make sure the University accesses essential medicines from the agency at a very low cost with a four-week payment holiday. We also accept IBBU students for industrial training in our quality control and production units, so they graduate with practical experience,” he explained.

Dr. Ndagi, who has had long ties with IBBU, outlined DMA’s mandate.

“The essence of Drug Management Agencies is to filter out fake and adulterated medicines. NAFDAC has done a lot, but DMAs are closer to the people to ensure only safe drugs are consumed. We have onboarded several health facilities and will continue until all primary healthcare centres in Niger State are covered,” he said.

Responding, The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, described the proposed partnership as timely and promising but emphasized the need for caution in its implementation. He noted that while the idea of flexible payment terms for drugs was commendable, the arrangement must not result in hidden costs.

“I hope the payment holiday is not tied to higher drug costs. On the issue of collaboration, it is not as simple as just supplying us drugs. There are deeper issues we need to address privately to ensure mutual benefits,” he stated.

Professor Sulaiman also stressed that the University seeks more than a commercial arrangement, highlighting the academic benefits of industry engagement. “We want an educational collaboration rather than a purely commercial one. Our Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences will soon introduce a course on dispensing, and industry professionals like you can contribute to enriching the training of our students. However, I must caution that our students are not yet pharmacists, so their exposure during industrial training must be carefully guided to protect professional standards,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Other Principal Officers of the University also expressed support.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello, noted that, “We hope this partnership will help us manage such issues like fake and counterfeit drugs which are a serious national problem.”

On his part, the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Mohammed Salihu Niworu, described the move as forward-looking, saying: “Health is very important, and I am impressed by the emphasis on quality and affordability.”

Similarly, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Salihu Ewugi, stressed the benefit to students. “My heart gladdens when you speak about access to drugs without immediate payment. Sometimes our students face health challenges and are stranded in hospitals. With this arrangement, we will always have drugs and our students’ welfare will be better secured,” he said.

In a vote of thanks, Acting Registrar, Mr. Sunday Gana, assured the DMA of IBBU’s commitment to deepening collaboration. “We will not say goodbye to you but till you come again. IBBU remains open to partnership in academic, pharmaceutical, and healthcare areas,” he said.