Prof. Adejare Wins NiDCOM National Diaspora Merit Award

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has honoured the renowned Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Adeboye Adejare for his selfless services to humanity and contributions as a Nigerian in the diaspora, particularly in the fields of medicine and healthcare.

Adejare was honoured along with other distinguished individuals from various fields for contributions to national development as good ambassadors of Nigeria.

In his keynote address during the event, Engr (Dr) Sule Yakubu Bassi, Secretary of NiDCOM said the National Diaspora Merit Award is part of an ongoing initiative to honour Nigerians in the diaspora who excel in their respective fields and are making very significant positive contributions in Nigeria.

Professor Adejare, who earned his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1985 and conducted postdoctoral studies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda Maryland, is currently a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) of Saint Joseph’s University. PCP, the first school of pharmacy in North America, is a key player in pharmaceutical education and industry.

Adejare had received other numerous awards including The Ohio State University’s Jack Beal Award (2022) and the Igbobi College, Yaba Lagos, Nigeria, Old Boys Association’s Award of Merit (2017).

His research, which has received funding from the NIH, the Office of Naval Research, state agencies, and several pharmaceutical companies, has resulted in over 60 publications, five patents, and more than 110 presentations at conferences.

Adejare has also served on several USA national panels, including grant review panels for the NIH, the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the Veterans Administration, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

As the editor-in-chief of “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy,” widely regarded as the leading global textbook in pharmacy education, and the editor of “Drug Discovery Approaches for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease,” Adejare has made significant contributions to pharmacy education and understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, and to cancer research. Many of his former students are now prominent figures in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Beyond his success in the United States, Professor Adejare has been instrumental in advancing research and healthcare in Nigeria.

He was selected twice for the prestigious Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (CADF); the inaugural award in 2014 (spent at University of Ibadan) and then in 2018 (spent at University of Lagos).

During these fellowships, he collaborated with faculty and students to enhance research efforts, including publications and grant applications, significantly impacting academic development in the country. These collaborations have also resulted in many faculty members and graduate students spending weeks to years in his laboratory, generally at no financial cost to Nigeria. Examples are via Fulbright and similar fellowships as well as grants and contracts from USA.

His commitment to Nigeria extends to the practice of pharmacy, where he has played a pivotal role. In May 2023, he hosted the leadership of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy for a one-week study tour, providing them access to world-class facilities and expertise. This initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact on the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Adejare’s contributions to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry include his role as a resource person for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). These efforts include conducting training workshops. His involvement is will have significant positive effects on the safety of pharmaceuticals made in Nigeria as well as their global availability, with the latter putting Nigeria in a competitive exporting position. Professor Adejare hails from Ede, Osun State.