9th September 2025
The Nigerian pharmaceutical landscape mourns the passage of a rare gem, Sir Christopher Ifeanyi Atueyi, a titan, who for over five decades stood tall in the profession as a mentor, visionary, benefactor and godly leader. He passed away at the age of 85, just months before what would have been his 86th birthday.
Atueyi was not only the publisher and founder of Pharmanews, Nigeria’s foremost pharmaceutical and health journal, but he was also its soul. He was a founding voice in Pharmacy Journalism, and since its establishment in 1979, Pharmanews has become an authoritative platform for industry professionals, chronicling the challenges, innovations, and triumphs of healthcare in Nigeria.
His life was a masterclass in purpose-driven living, a shining example of how one man, grounded in faith and guided by values, could shape a profession, influence generations, and leave behind an unshakable legacy.
I met Atueyi as a young pharmacy student in the 1980s, during a Pharmacy Week event in Ife, where he served as the keynote speaker, and I was the president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students. Even then, his humility, brilliance, and quiet strength struck a chord. Since that moment, my life and practice have continually intersected with his, as an admirer, mentee, collaborator, and friend.
What endeared Atueyi to all who encountered him was not just his intellect or achievements, but his spirit. He was really humble, genuinely kind, and profoundly committed to doing good, not for applause, but because it was right.
Whether serving as a keynote or motivational speaker, mentoring young professionals, inaugurating projects, supporting the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and its technical groups, particularly the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, or leading initiatives through the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, he remained consistent: accessible, authentic, and always anchored in God.
He did not merely report on the profession; he helped shape it. Through Pharmanews, he gave voice to the challenges and triumphs of pharmacists and health professionals. He nurtured talents. He upheld values. He created a community. He became a pillar.
He had every opportunity to commercialise his influence but instead chose to protect the integrity of his platform and his person. When I once worked with him to review Pharmanews’ business model, it was clear that the paper was not just a publication; it was a ministry.
In addition to his journalistic work, Atueyi was also a prolific author. He published several books that combined professional insights with faith-based reflections, offering guidance to both pharmacists and the wider public. His writings often addressed themes of integrity, purposeful living, and service, embodying the principles he lived by. Through his books, he ensured that his experiences, values, and lessons would continue to inspire readers long after his lifetime.
Even at an advanced age, Atueyi remained sharp, energetic, and ever youthful in outlook. He participated in meetings with unmatched punctuality. His wit was always ready, and encouragement was unwavering.
He was more than a pharmacist; he was a father to the profession. He was more than a publisher; he was a builder of platforms. He was more than a leader; he was a servant of purpose.
Beyond pharmacy, Atueyi was deeply devoted to his Christian faith. For many years, he was a strong and active member of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International. He served in official capacities within the fellowship, where his leadership, testimonies, and quiet evangelism touched countless lives. To him, the fellowship was an avenue to share God’s goodness, mentor professionals, and show that success in business and life must be anchored in spiritual values. Many who met him through the Fellowship can testify to the warmth of his faith, the depth of his counsel, and the simplicity with which he shared the gospel.
His influence extended beyond professional circles into the wider community. In Lagos, he was a respected elder and community leader, always ready to lend his wisdom to neighbourhood associations, church groups, and professional networks. In his hometown of Okija, Anambra State, Atueyi was not just a prominent son of the soil but a rallying point for progress and unity. He contributed to community development initiatives, encouraged education, and remained closely connected to his roots despite his many national engagements. He showed by example that true leadership is measured not by titles, but by service to people at the grassroots.
Even in his later years, Atueyi served as a rallying point for senior pharmacists, particularly those above 80 years of age. He created spaces for them to connect, reflect, and continue to contribute to the profession they loved. He will visit them in their homes and offices to recreate the passion of the youthful, eat, play games and laugh together. His passion for keeping these bonds alive demonstrated his belief that no one is ever too old to add value, inspire, or be celebrated.
Atueyi’s greatness was also evident in his personal life. He was a loving husband and devoted father who shared an unshakable bond with his wife and children. His marriage was one of companionship, respect, and mutual support. To his children, he was not only a father but also a mentor and spiritual guide, instilling in them the same values of faith, integrity, and service that defined his own life. He balanced his immense professional responsibilities with tender devotion at home, proving that success is hollow if it is not anchored in love and family.
Today, as we mourn, we must also celebrate. We celebrate a life that was well-lived, full of meaning, faith, and impact. We celebrate a man who refused to be ordinary. We celebrate a legacy that challenges each of us to do more, give more, and live more intentionally.
To his beloved nuclear family, the extended family and the broader Pharmanews family, I extend my deepest condolences. To the Nigerian pharmaceutical community, I am in this boat with you and share in your grief. A guiding light has gone dim, but his brilliance lives on in all of us.
Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi has finished his course. He has fought the good fight. He has kept the faith. And now, a crown awaits him, not from men, but from the Master he served so faithfully.
Adieu, our dear Sir.
May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
- Dr Ojo is a former national chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria
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