Air Commodore David Olumuyiwa Babalola, a consultant clinical pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has achieved a groundbreaking feat in Nigerian pharmacy practice by clinching three prestigious awards at the 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held from November 4 to 9, 2024.

Babalola was honored with the Biogenerics Integrity Award, the Pfizer Excellence Award, and a Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), marking a historic moment in both military and pharmacy sectors.

The Biogenerics Integrity Award, which comes with a ₦1,000,000 cash prize, celebrates excellence in patient care, career achievements, and leadership. Babalola emerged as the best overall among public sector hospital pharmacists across Nigeria.

Additionally, he received the Pfizer Excellence Award, including a ₦250,000 cash prize, a plaque, and a certificate, recognizing his outstanding contributions to hospital and community pharmacy. This makes him the first pharmacist from Nigeria’s Armed Forces to win a PSN-sponsored corporate award since its inception nearly two decades ago.

Babalola also earned the FPSN honor, the highest accolade in Nigerian pharmacy, for his exemplary and meritorious service. His investiture ceremony is set for early 2025.

Expressing gratitude, Babalola credited the support of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, for fostering an environment that enables pharmacists in the NAF to excel. He also praised Biogenerics Nigeria Ltd and Pfizer Nigeria for their commitment to advancing pharmacy practice through sponsorship.

Babalola, the first NAF pharmacist to achieve the rank of air commodore, continues to break barriers, setting a high standard for pharmacy professionals nationwide.