The Federal Government has called on public health analysts to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the discharge of their duties, while also embracing innovation and strategic thinking to address emerging health sector challenges.
Minister's Call at IPAN Induction
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, made the call at the induction ceremony organised by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) for 49 new professionals in Abuja. He noted that public analysts play a critical role in ensuring the safety, quality, and integrity of food, water, drugs, cosmetics, and other products consumed in the country.
Underscoring their central role in the health sector, the minister stated that through scientific analysis and evidence-based practices, public analysts provide assurance that products consumed by Nigerians meet established standards and regulatory requirements. Salako stressed the need for professionals to shun compromise, bias, negligence, and assumptions in carrying out their duties, insisting that all outcomes must be evidence-based.
Represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services, Dr Adeola Olufowobi-Yusuf, the minister said the government remains committed to strengthening regulatory systems, enhancing laboratory capacity, and promoting adherence to national and international standards. He described the lecture theme, “Laboratory Leadership: Merging Science and Business Acumen,” as timely and thought-provoking, noting that it highlights the need for professionals to go beyond technical competence and embrace leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking.
Commendation and Collaboration
Salako also commended the institute for its consistent efforts in advancing professional development and strengthening Nigeria’s analytical and research sector. He added that the induction reflects a deliberate effort to expand the pool of qualified professionals critical to ensuring the safety and quality of food and drugs in the country. He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to advance the profession and enhance its contribution to national development.
Permanent Secretary's Warning
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, cautioned the inductees against inaccurate certification, warning that it carries serious consequences. “If you sign off on substandard products, you pose a risk to the country. But if you certify quality products, you will also attract investment to Nigeria,” she said.
Kachollom, represented by Dr Uche Nwokwu of the National Cancer Control Programme, added that the responsibility attached to certification requires careful professional judgment. “You have become ambassadors of Nigeria in your profession because your signatures carry significant weight,” she noted.
Registrar's Remarks on Unqualified Practitioners
Registrar of the institute, Aliyu Angara, also warned that the activities of unqualified practitioners continue to pose serious risks to public health. He emphasised that only certified and regulated analysts can guarantee the safety of drugs, food, and other consumables.
Angara explained that while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) regulate products and industries, the institute focuses on the professionals whose analytical reports form the backbone of regulatory enforcement. “It is the analysis conducted by certified public analysts that agencies rely on to make critical decisions, including sanctioning companies that produce harmful or substandard products. Our mandate is to regulate personnel working in laboratories and the facilities where analyses are conducted,” he said.
He added that the institute plays a critical but often under-recognised role in Nigeria’s health and safety ecosystem by ensuring that laboratory analyses guiding regulatory decisions are conducted by competent professionals. “We are not an association; we are a professional regulatory body responsible for regulating practitioners who carry out laboratory analyses,” he stated.
Keynote Address on Laboratory Standards
In his keynote address, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Ahmed, highlighted the need for improved laboratory standards and stronger professional regulation to enhance public health protection, regulatory enforcement, and consumer confidence.
Represented by the Head of Programme, Coordinating Department at the council, Ene Daniel-Ebune, Ahmed noted that laboratory outputs influence regulatory, legal, and commercial decisions, including product approval and withdrawal. He identified integrity, transparency, competence, and accountability as essential requirements, warning that weak practices could increase the prevalence of substandard products and erode investor confidence.
Ahmed further emphasised that laboratories must adopt quality systems, invest in personnel, and align scientific work with sustainable business practices to remain effective.
