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| 50th President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS)- Ikrama Aliyu |
In this exclusive interview, the 50th National President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), Ikrama Aliyu, reflects on leadership, institutional reform, stakeholder engagement, and the future of pharmacy in Nigeria.
On the Most Impactful Achievement of His Administration
Rxrelated: Looking back at your tenure, what do you consider to be the single most impactful achievement of your administration, and what metrics or evidence do you use to measure that success?
I used to point to a single achievement whenever this question came up. But beyond the visible, physical accomplishments, what truly made the difference was the restructuring and rebuilding of trust with our stakeholders after years of broken relationships and doubt. Without this administrative overhaul, most of the achievements we now celebrate would not have been possible.
The metric I use to assess this impact is the pathway it created for everything else we were able to achieve. Nearly all our successes can be traced back to this deliberate restructuring. In leadership, progress can only be sustained when an effective structure is established first.
“Progress can only be sustained when an effective structure is established first.”
Administrative Challenges and Lessons in Leadership
Rxrelated: What was the most politically or administratively challenging moment of your presidency, and what did you learn about leadership while navigating it?
I have not yet decided to present a personal account of defining moments from my presidency, so this is just one of several challenges. Administratively, there was little existing structure or reference point in student leadership. Each administration often begins as though the association is attempting to take off for the first time.
We struggled for a complete handover months into our tenure, sourced what I described as take-off funding, and navigated several hurdles. The key lesson was patience and resilience. Progress may be slow at the beginning, and leaders must endure early frustrations without losing focus on long-term goals.
Handling Criticism, Opposition, and Student Feedback
Rxrelated: How did your administration handle criticism or opposition from students or PANS chapters, and in what specific ways did student feedback alter your policy decisions?
Criticism is data. It helps you see what you might miss, strengthen your paths, and refine your work. When it is constructive, you recognize it is not an attack and use it accordingly. When it is delivered poorly, it often says more about the critic than about you.
Opposition, too, is a teacher. If no one opposes you, you are likely not leading change. We listened, engaged, and sometimes integrated dissenting views to create better solutions. Feedback was central to our administration, with multiple channels including regular direct chats with the president, and it consistently shaped our policies.
The State of PANS Today
Rxrelated: In what ways do you feel PANS, as an association, is stronger or more functional today than when you first took office?
PANS today is more functional in terms of structure, stronger in its relationships with stakeholders, and more inclusive in its approach. It is also better positioned in the eyes of the global pharmacy community. This reflects the actual state of the association, not merely perception.
Collaboration with PSN and PCN
Rxrelated: How successful were your efforts in collaborating with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and what advice would you give the current leadership on engaging with these bodies?
Our collaboration with PSN is evident in the clearance of long-standing membership backlogs and outstanding debts with the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). We also rebuilt trust with the PSN Secretariat and saw increased participation of parent bodies in our activities.
With PCN, we established a clear understanding focused on sustainability, leading to practical outcomes such as the delayed enforcement of additional indexing charges. The advice to current leadership is to consolidate these gains and sustain the momentum.
Lessons from Student Politics and National Advocacy
Rxrelated: What is the single most important lesson about student politics and national advocacy that you learned during your time as PANS President?
In student politics, everything eventually rests on you. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. It is often frustrating, but it tests and stretches leaders beyond their limits.
In national advocacy, jurisdiction matters. Understanding boundaries, roles, and authority is essential to making meaningful progress.
Skills Every Pharmacy Student Must Acquire
Rxrelated: Based on your experience, what critical skill or perspective do you believe every pharmacy student in Nigeria needs to acquire before graduation?
Project management is critical. In every undertaking, no matter how small, organization and management are required. Management is the pillar upon which everything else is built.
The Future of the Nigerian Pharmacy Profession
Rxrelated: What is your prognosis for the Nigerian pharmacy profession over the next five years, and what role do you believe PANS must play in shaping that future?
In the next five years, many of the developments currently underway will come to full fruition. While there may not be many entirely new initiatives, much of the progress that is currently hindered will eventually take effect.
PANS must continue to raise awareness, advocate consistently, prepare upcoming pharmacists, and positively shape public perception of the profession.
Life After the Presidency
Rxrelated: How has your experience as PANS President influenced your personal and professional career path moving forward?
Serving as PANS President profoundly influenced my personal and professional life. It gave me new perspectives and reinforced my belief that learning never ends.
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