About The Department

The roots of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University trace back to when courses with clinical relevance were taught under the banner of Development of Pharmaceutics at the 400-level (coded FPH 400) and Pharmacy Laws at the 300-level (coded FPH 300).

With the transition of the Pharmacy curriculum to a five-year programme, a deliberate effort was made to establish a dedicated Clinical Pharmacy programme. However, due to a paucity of qualified staff, a strategy was proposed to send personnel abroad for training. In 1986, two pharmacists — Olayiwola (from the Department of Pharmacology) and Okelola (from the Department of Pharmacognosy) — were selected as the pioneer seed staff. Unfortunately, Okelola later exited when overseas training prospects did not materialize. At that point, the Clinical Pharmacy programme, although not yet a full-fledged department, operated directly under the Dean’s Office, with Olayiwola remaining as the sole academic staff.

Olayiwola continued teaching and coordinating FPH 400 and FPH 300 courses. FPH 300 was treated as a faculty-wide course, with contributions from various faculty members including Professors Olugbade, Onawunmi, Erhun, and Afolabi. Notably, the pharmacokinetics component of the curriculum was taught by faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, including Professor Ogunbona, and Drs. Cyprian Onyeji, Seye Bolaji, and Peace Babalola.

In 1989, the process to formally establish the Department of Clinical Pharmacy began. Dr. Seye Bolaji was seconded from Pharmaceutical Chemistry to serve as the Acting Head of Department (HOD), followed by Dr. Cyprian Onyeji. During this foundational period, Dr. Erhun and Mrs. Afolabi indicated their willingness to join the emerging department to develop the Pharmacy Administration arm, while Olayiwola continued anchoring the Clinical Pharmacy arm.

Dr. Erhun became the department’s first homegrown HOD, succeeded by Dr. (Mrs.) Afolabi and subsequently by Dr. Olayiwola.

In 2011, the Department developed and secured approval for its postgraduate programme, which has since produced several PhD holders. Among the department’s proud alumni are Drs. Ayodapo Jegede and Madu Ihekoronye, who are now members of the academic staff.

The Department remains committed to advancing the frontiers of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration through teaching, research, and professional practice, contributing significantly to healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical education in Nigeria.