Meet Umar Nasir Huzaifa, the dedicated Financial Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students PANS-BUK. Hailing from Kano State and raised in a household emphasizing discipline, moral values, and service to humanity, Umar's passion for pharmacy stems from a deep commitment to healthy lives and community impact. Inspired by the profession's diverse roles in research, drug regulation, public health, and global health systems strengthening.

Motivated by a belief in real impact over mere titles, Umar ran for Financial Secretary to tackle funding challenges, drive resource mobilization, build partnerships, and ensure transparency and accountability in student programs. His responsibilities extend far beyond basic record-keeping—he actively supports fundraising, oversees financial policies, and maximizes resources to amplify the association's reach and community benefit.

Umar's story exemplifies how passion, discipline, and strategic leadership can bridge academics and service, creating lasting value in pharmacy and beyond

1. Name

Ans: Umar Nasir Huzaifa

2. What inspired you to study pharmacy?

Ans:
My inspiration to study pharmacy is rooted in my passion for healthy lives and community impact. Growing up in a tropical African society with significant health challenges exposed me to the urgent need for sustainable healthcare solutions. Pharmacy stood out to me because of its strong commitment to promoting health and optimizing medication therapy.

From research and drug development, through production, regulation, distribution, and pharmacovigilance, every aspect of pharmacy directly contributes to patient care and global health. There is hardly any area within pharmacy that does not play a role in improving health outcomes. Beyond this, pharmacy is one of the most diverse medical professions. It offers opportunities in research, innovation, academia, regulation, public health, and even the commercial sector. This diversity, alongside its growing integration with technology and innovation, convinced me that pharmacy is the right platform to make meaningful and long-lasting impact on society.

3. Where are you from, and how has that shaped who you are?

Ans:
I am from Kano State and was raised in a Muslim household grounded in strong moral values, discipline, respect, and service to humanity. Coming from a community known for these values shaped me into a disciplined and principled individual. These foundations have helped me adapt to different environments, withstand challenges, and remain committed to service wherever I find myself.

4. Faculty crush? (optional)

Ans:
I’ll keep this one personal.

Academic Life

5. What has your experience been like as a student in this faculty?

Ans:
My experience in this faculty has been truly transformational. I came in with little experience, but I will be graduating with a wealth of academic, leadership, and life experience. Within this faculty, I met many lecturers and colleagues who played significant roles in shaping my leadership capacity and sharpening my way of thinking and problem-solving.

At the beginning of my journey, especially in 100 level, I was not very interactive and kept myself within a small circle. However, over time, I evolved into one of the most social and active individuals in the faculty. This growth reflects both personal development and the influence of the environment around me.

Along the way, I have missed tests, practicals, and even examinations due to certain priorities and responsibilities. Sometimes, to excel in multiple areas of life, sacrifices must be made. I am grateful that these sacrifices have shaped me positively, and I believe that with patience and consistency, the rewards and blessings of these efforts become evident with time.

6. What area of pharmacy interests you the most?

Ans:
I am interested in all aspects of pharmacy; however, I am less interested in hospital practice and community pharmacy due to their relatively smaller niche and limited scope for large-scale global impact. My major interests lie in drug regulation, public health, and research and systems strengthening.

I believe these areas offer powerful opportunities to transform the lives of many people using relatively limited resources. Drug regulation ensures the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines, while public health and research-driven approaches allow for wide-reaching impact. My interest in these fields goes beyond personal career development; it is driven by a desire to influence health systems, protect human rights, and contribute meaningfully to global health.

7. How do you balance academics with your duties as Financial Secretary?

Ans:
Balancing academics with leadership responsibilities has become part of my personal discipline. Beyond serving as Financial Secretary, I also hold other leadership roles, including Vice Chairman of the Health First Africa Initiative (Regional), Financial Secretary of Gwale Local Government Student Union, and Deputy Head of Communication at the Antimicrobial Resistance Club. I also volunteer across several health initiatives.

My guiding principle is commitment to my passion. I am passionate about serving people, just as I am passionate about becoming a pharmacist. This drives me to manage my time effectively, prioritize responsibilities, and give my best level of devotion to each role. As a Doctor of Pharmacy student, I recognize the demanding nature of my program, but I see these leadership and volunteer engagements as complementary to my academic journey. They prepare me for life after school and enhance my growth beyond the classroom.

Leadership Role

8. What motivated you to run for the position of Financial Secretary?

Ans:
I believe strongly in impact, not just in holding an office. While many positions come with titles, not all come with the level of responsibility and challenge required to drive meaningful change. The position of Financial Secretary is one of such demanding roles, involving continuous engagement with funding challenges, supporting the President in sourcing resources, building partnerships, and ensuring successful execution of activities.

Aspiring to this role requires skill, experience, and resilience. Many fellow aspirants believed I was well-suited for this responsibility, and I shared that belief—not out of pride, but out of humility and self-awareness of my capacity. This desire to contribute meaningfully and create real impact motivated me to run for the position.

9. What are your main responsibilities in this role?

Ans:
My responsibilities go far beyond recording income and expenditure. I oversee financial policies, support fundraising initiatives, and ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in projects that directly affect students and the wider community. I am actively involved in sourcing sponsors and building partnerships to reduce financial pressure on the association. Through these efforts, we are able to maximize resources and multiply the impact of our programs and projects.


Interviewer's Bio

Meet Ibrahim Umar, also known as Epistemix—a passionate student pharmacist at Bayero University, Kano. A writer and member of the PANS-BUK Editorial Team, he combines academic pursuit with impactful storytelling. Ibrahim is committed to student empowerment, advocating for self-management, stress resilience, and growth beyond pharmacy. He believes in equipping students with the mindset and skills to lead confidently in any path they choose.