Nigeria is moving to safeguard its fast-growing digital health sector with the introduction of new e-pharmacy regulations, to tighten oversight of online medicine distribution and protect patients in an increasingly digitised healthcare environment.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, says the Federal Government launched the 2026 Electronic Pharmacy (e-pharmacy) Regulations, establishing a comprehensive framework to guide digital pharmacy operations across the country. The rules cover key areas including licensing and registration, prescription management, medicine supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, as well as consumer protection.
The policy marks a significant step in formalising Nigeria’s online pharmacy ecosystem, which has expanded rapidly alongside the growth of e-commerce, telemedicine and health technology platforms, according to the minister.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Image credit: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The policy marks a significant step in formalising Nigeria’s online pharmacy ecosystem, which has expanded rapidly alongside the growth of e-commerce, telemedicine and health technology platforms, according to the minister.
e-Pharmacy: Government targets safer digital healthcare delivery
Pate says the regulations are part of broader efforts to integrate digital technologies into healthcare delivery.
“At the heart of these Regulations is a clear vision to establish a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem that leverages digital technology to improve health outcomes,” he says at the launch in Abuja.
He adds that the framework is expected to improve access to medicines while supporting the country’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage.
The minister also issues a warning to operators exploiting gaps in the digital health space, stating that regulatory authorities are prepared to act against those distributing substandard or falsified medicines.
Data-driven oversight and traceability
A central feature of the new framework is its emphasis on data-driven healthcare delivery. By digitising prescription workflows and medicine distribution systems, regulators aim to improve traceability across the pharmaceutical value chain.
The approach is expected to strengthen monitoring capabilities, support evidence-based decision-making and enhance public health outcomes, while also creating a more structured environment for innovation and private-sector participation.
Implementation of the regulations is being led by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the statutory body responsible for regulating pharmacy practice under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act 2022.
According to Ibrahim Ahmed, the framework responds to changing patient behaviour in a digital-first environment and is designed to ensure that ethical standards are maintained across online and offline pharmacy operations.
The regulations, he says, were developed through consultations with stakeholders, including technology providers, healthcare professionals and legal experts, to balance accessibility with safety and accountability.
Implications for health-tech ecosystem
The introduction of the e-pharmacy rules is expected to reshape Nigeria’s digital health landscape, particularly for startups and platforms operating in the online medicine distribution space.
Under the new framework, operators will be required to obtain licences and comply with defined standards, effectively tightening oversight across the sector. The regulations are also expected to influence pharmaceutical e-commerce models, strengthen data privacy and cybersecurity requirements, and drive investment into compliant digital health infrastructure.
The policy builds on earlier reforms, including the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy introduced in 2025, and reflects lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of digital tools in healthcare while exposing gaps in regulatory oversight.
As Nigeria deepens the integration of technology into healthcare delivery, the new e-pharmacy regulations signal a shift toward a more structured and regulated digital health ecosystem, with patient safety and system accountability at its core.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance in office, telling Ekiti voters that the governor came into leadership fully prepared to serve the people.
Speaking ahead of the June 20 governorship election, Tinubu urged residents to re-elect Oyebanji for a second term.
The endorsement came on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress mega rally in Ado-Ekiti. The venue was packed with party faithful, allies from other political groups, and supporters across religious and ethnic lines, all showing solidarity with Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu praised Ekiti citizens for their loyalty to the APC over the years.
He described the state as fortunate to have Oyebanji at the helm of affairs, noting that the governor’s actions and policies prove that true leadership is about serving people, not oppressing them or undermining their rights.
Tinubu highlighted Oyebanji’s humility, patience, and respect for traditional rulers and past leaders, pointing out the absence of opposition posters across the state as a sign of Oyebanji’s wide acceptance.
“On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better,” Shettima said on Tinubu’s behalf. The President then symbolically handed Oyebanji over to former governors and first ladies, urging them to secure victory for him.
Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, described Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying.
Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said the party’s visibility in Ekiti was unmatched. He noted that only the APC had campaigned market to market and house to house.
APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwadta, insisted the party’s confidence was rooted in Oyebanji’s connection to the people, not just in being the ruling party.
A visibly elated Governor Oyebanji, joined by his wife Dr Olayemi Oyebanji and Deputy Monisade Afuye, said he was not relying on federal might but on his record and the promises he kept since 2022.
He appealed for a peaceful election and promised that his second term would surpass the achievements of the last three and a half years.
Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen have secured the permanent signing of London-born Nigerian striker Toyosi Olusanya, with the forward committing his future to the club on a two-year contract after an impressive loan spell.
Sports247 reports that the 28-year-old joins the Dons as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo. His arrival marks another key addition to manager Stephen Robinson’s rebuilding project ahead of the new season.
Olusanya spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Aberdeen, where he quickly adapted to life in Scottish football.
During his stint, he made 18 appearances across all competitions and contributed three goal involvements, earning the confidence of the coaching staff and convincing the club to pursue a permanent deal.
The striker’s work rate, physical presence, and attacking versatility made him a valuable option during his loan spell, and Aberdeen will be hoping he can build on that foundation as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Premiership campaign.
His signing represents the fifth addition to Robinson’s squad during the summer transfer window as the club continues to strengthen its roster with an eye on domestic success and improved performances across all competitions.
Born in London and eligible to represent Nigeria, Olusanya has enjoyed a career spanning English football and Major League Soccer before making the move north of the border.
The permanent transfer offers him the opportunity to continue his development in a familiar environment after settling into the team during his loan period.
For Aberdeen, retaining a player who already understands the club’s style and expectations provides continuity as they reshape the squad for the new season.
Supporters will be eager to see the Nigerian forward translate his promising displays into consistent goals and assists over the course of the campaign.
With his future now secured at Pittodrie, Olusanya begins the next chapter of his career aiming to establish himself as a key figure in Aberdeen’s attack and help the club compete strongly in the Scottish Premiership.