Young Pharmacists Urged to Take Ownership of Career Growth at Kaduna Mentorship Workshop

Young pharmacists, interns, pharmacy students and senior pharmacists gathered at the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Secretariat in Kaduna on Saturday for a career progression and mentorship workshop focused on professional growth, leadership, skills development, character and career planning.

The programme was organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG), Kaduna State, as part of activities marking World Pharmacists Day 2026, themed “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”

Facilitated by Pharm. Umar Mustapha Mustapha, Assistant Director, Logistics and Operations, Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency (KADHSMA), the interactive session encouraged participants to take deliberate responsibility for their professional journeys and to recognise career development as a continuous process requiring discipline, learning and intentional decisions.

“You Are the Architect of Your Career”

One of the central messages of the workshop was the importance of taking ownership of one's professional direction.

Participants were encouraged to look beyond obtaining a pharmacy degree and consider what they want to become, what they want to be known for and where they see themselves in the future.

The facilitator emphasised that mentors can provide guidance and employers can create opportunities, but individuals remain responsible for building their careers.

Participants were therefore encouraged to develop a clear personal vision and translate that vision into deliberate actions.

Building a Career Through Small, Consistent Deposits

Using the analogy of a bank account, the workshop highlighted how careers are built through continuous “deposits” such as learning, discipline, honesty, relationships and skills, which can gradually translate into opportunities, recognition and greater responsibilities.

Participants were reminded that professional success does not happen overnight and that every successful pharmacist started somewhere.

The session emphasised the value of each stage of a pharmacist's professional journey, from student and intern to more senior roles, as an opportunity to acquire experience, develop competence and prepare for greater responsibilities.

As one of the presentation's memorable messages put it, “There is no elevator. Only stairs.”

Building a Career Toolbox Beyond Pharmacy Knowledge

The workshop also examined the need for pharmacists to develop competencies beyond traditional pharmaceutical knowledge.

Under the concept of a “Career Toolbox,” participants explored qualities and skills including integrity, communication, clinical knowledge, leadership, emotional intelligence, digital skills, teamwork, time management, resilience and continuous learning.

The discussion reflected the changing nature of healthcare and the importance of adaptability as pharmacists increasingly work across multidisciplinary and technology-driven environments.

Participants were encouraged to deliberately acquire complementary skills that can strengthen their professional value and expose them to different career opportunities.

Industry Perspective and Hypertension Management

The programme also featured a presentation by Pharm. Mathew, a representative of Fidson Healthcare Plc, who delivered a session on the management of hypertension.

The presentation added a clinical and pharmaceutical-industry dimension to the mentorship programme, giving participants an opportunity to engage with issues related to the management of a major cardiovascular risk condition alongside the broader discussions on professional development.

His participation also exposed the young pharmacists and students to perspectives from the pharmaceutical industry and demonstrated the range of professional environments in which pharmacists can contribute.

Senior Pharmacists Encourage Young Professionals to Embrace Opportunities

The programme also featured contributions from senior pharmacists who encouraged participants to remain open to opportunities that could support their professional development.

Pharm. Ebunoluwa Bonire, Treasurer of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kaduna State, advised young pharmacists not to assess every opportunity solely by its immediate financial value.

She encouraged participants to take advantage of opportunities that could provide experience, exposure, relationships and professional development, including volunteering where appropriate.

The message was that professional growth can sometimes begin with opportunities that provide experience and visibility before immediate financial returns.

Another senior pharmacist, Pharm. Ishaq Adamu, who serves at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and is the Public Relations Officer II of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kaduna State, encouraged participants to explore different professional pathways and identify opportunities that could support their growth.

He urged young pharmacists to follow their individual paths, remain open to new possibilities and consider where they could achieve better professional development rather than limiting themselves to one career direction.

Character, Reputation and Professional Integrity

Character and professional integrity formed another important part of the workshop.

Through a practical scenario involving a pharmacist working alone without supervision, participants were asked to consider whether they would continue to uphold professional ethics when nobody was watching.

The exercise reinforced the message that professional character is demonstrated through everyday decisions, including those made in situations where there is no external supervision.

Participants were reminded that professional reputation is not created by one achievement but developed gradually through consistency, ethical conduct and the quality of service provided to others.

Leadership Begins With Service

The workshop also encouraged participants to view service and volunteering as potential pathways to leadership.

Rather than waiting for formal titles, young pharmacists were encouraged to contribute to professional organisations, communities and initiatives where they can gain experience, demonstrate their abilities and build relationships.

Participants were also encouraged to deliberately develop professional networks that challenge, inspire and support their growth.

The discussion highlighted the role of professional relationships in exposing young pharmacists to mentorship, collaboration and opportunities that may not otherwise be visible to them.

Learning From Failure

Career development, participants were reminded, is not necessarily a straightforward journey.

The workshop encouraged young pharmacists to view failed examinations, missed opportunities and rejection as experiences from which they can learn rather than as reasons to abandon their ambitions.

Participants were also encouraged to learn from pharmacists ahead of them by seeking mentors, reading biographies and observing the habits and professional practices of accomplished professionals.

Imagining the Pharmacist of 2046

One of the closing exercises asked participants to imagine that it was the year 2046 and that a pharmacy publication was reporting on their professional achievements.

The exercise encouraged them to consider the kind of pharmacist they want to become and what they need to start doing today to make that future possible.

The session reinforced the idea that a pharmacy degree may open the door to the profession, but professional progression also depends on attitude, competence, integrity and consistency.

YPG Highlights Significance of Voluntary Mentorship

Speaking at the programme, the PSN-YPG Kaduna State Coordinator, Pharm. Salim Nuhu Ali, thanked the facilitator for voluntarily offering his time and expertise to mentor young pharmacists.

He described the initiative as significant for the group, noting that it was the first time, to his knowledge, that the Kaduna YPG had experienced a professional willingly offering to mentor young pharmacists on a broader scale in this manner.

He appreciated the participants and other professionals who attended the programme and encouraged young pharmacists to remain confident in their potential.

He also reminded participants that there are no fixed limits to what they can achieve in their professional careers.

The Assistant Secretary-General of PSN-YPG Kaduna State, Pharm. Halima Muhammad, was also present alongside other pharmacists and professional stakeholders.

Participants Welcome Mentorship Initiative

At the close of the programme, participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn, reflect on their career direction and interact with experienced pharmacists.

The interactive nature of the workshop provided participants with an opportunity to discuss issues affecting their professional development while gaining perspectives from pharmacists working across different areas of practice.

Participants also expressed interest in seeing more mentorship, career guidance and professional development initiatives organised for young pharmacists.

The workshop ultimately highlighted career development as a gradual process shaped by continuous learning, ethical conduct, service, professional relationships, skills development and deliberate decision-making.

As the closing message of the session stated, “The pharmacist you become tomorrow depends on the choices you make today.”

The programme was organised by the PSN Young Pharmacists Group (YPG), Kaduna State, with media coverage by Pharmacy Times Nigeria.