Obi Peter Adigwe

Obi Peter Adigwe is a Nigerian pharmacist and a doctor of pharmaceutical policy. He was appointed the Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) with effect from 10 August 2018 by the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. Before his appointment as NIPRD boss, he was the Executive Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers' Association of Nigeria and holds a Doctor of Pharmaceutical Policy at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

Dr. Adigwe was the pioneer Head of the Health Policy Research and Development (HPRD) Unit at the National Assembly (Nigeria), where he formulated research and development strategies in Health Policy with a view to developing an Evidence-Based approach to Legislation and Policy formulation in Nigeria. He also developed innovative and contextual capacity-building modules for Healthcare Professionals, as well as coordinated research that contributed to Health System strengthening. He has a significant number of peer-reviewed publications including the first Knowledge Attitudes and Perceptions study on Ebola in Nigeria, as well as a seminal paper on Rational Use of Medicines. While in the United Kingdom, he was the lead author of the article “Rewrite the Script for Non-medical Prescribing” which contributed to prescribing policy reforms in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Throughout his career, Adigwe has pioneered a significant number of innovative research and developmental projects. He led teams that secured various high-profile grants including a Clinical Trials Grant from the ECOWAS, an API Grant from African Export–Import Bank, a Drug Development Mega Grant from Tertiary Education Trust Fund and a European Union / Government of Bulgaria Grant supporting Local Production of Vaccines in the Nigerian setting. Based on the NIPRD study led by Dr Adigwe, the European Union EU announced the award of an €18m grant to Nigeria, as a catalyst for vaccines research.

Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe has headed and served on numerous Committees and Expert Working Groups at both national and international levels, including the D8, United Nations, World Health Organisation [WHO], The African Union and ECOWAS. Dr. Adigwe was conferred with Nigeria's highest Productivity Award by the President of Nigeria in recognition of his hard work, productivity and excellence in National Developmental Initiatives. Adigwe is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy, as well as of the West African Institute of Public Health.

Education
Obi Adigwe attended University of Jos, Jos, obtaining a bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 2000. He proceeded to the University of Edinburgh, UK and obtained MSc in Global Health and Public Policy in 2008 and a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Policy from the University of Leeds, UK, in 2012.

Career
Obi Adigwe started his career as a pharmacist at the National Assembly (Nigeria)'s Pharmacy Department, FCT, Abuja Nigeria, in 2005 and remained there till 2007. He proceeded to become the Senior Project Officer at the Pharmacy Department Unit at University of Leeds, United Kingdom, from 2010 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015, he was the head of the Health Policy Research and Development Unit at the National Assembly (Nigeria) (NASS), FCT, Abuja, Nigeria, where he formulated research and development strategies across multiple policy areas and also authored write-ups to disseminate findings from research projects. On 14 June 2022, Adigwe was reappointed as the Director General of National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). Adigwe has mentored over 80 PhD and MSc candidates, and 100 Pharmacists. Adigwe has more than 82 scientific presentations. He chaired and contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic response, by providing an internationally acclaimed analysis that was recognized by the Nigerian Government and positioned the country on the Madagascan Covid Organics preparation.