PROF. DORA AKUNYILI 14 July 1954 - 7 June 2014.

Professor (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili was a Pharmacist, Pharmacologist, Erudite Scholar, Seasoned Administrator, and a visionary leader. She was a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Pharmacologist in the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (U.N.N.), Enugu Campus, before she became the NAFDAC boss.

AWARDS
•Time Magazine Award 2006.
• Person of the Year 2005 Award – Silverbird Communications Ltd.
• Award of Excellence – Integrated World Services (IWS), 2005.
• Award of Excellence – Advocacy for Democracy Dividends International, 2005.
• Meritorious Award 2005 – St. Michael’s Military Catholic Church, Apapa, Lagos.
• African Virtuous and Entrepreneurial Women Merit Award 2005 – African Biographical Network, 2005.
• Award for the Best Government Parastatal – National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), 2005.
• An Icon of Excellence Award – The African Cultural Institute and Zenith Bank Plc, 2005.
• 2005 Grassroots Human Rights Campaigner Award- London Based Human Rights Defense Organization.
• Most Innovative Director Award- Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos, 2005.
• Integrity Award 2003 – Transparency International.
Source: Wikipedia.

She was born in Makurdi, Benue State, but brought up in Nanka and was married in Agulu, both in Anambra State of Nigeria. Dr. Akunyili’s educational career started with her passing the First School Leaving Certificate with Distinction at St. Patrick’s Primary School, Isuofia, Anambra State in 1966, and the West African School Certificate (W.A.S.C.) with Grade I Distinction in 1973 from Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, both in Nigeria.

These exceptional results in the First School Leaving Certificate, and W.A.S.C. earned her the Eastern Nigerian Government Post Primary Scholarship and the Federal Government of Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship. She got her First Degree in Pharmacy, B.Pharm (Hons) in 1978 and her PhD in 1985 from U.N.N. Professor Akunyili was a Post Doctorate Fellow of University of London and a Fellow of the West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists. To prepare her for Managerial positions, she was trained on Computer Education Programme by WHO/UNDP/World Bank Sponsored and Senior Management skills Course in RIPA, London, in 1994 and 1998 respectively.

Akunyili started her working career as a Hospital Pharmacist from 1978–1981, in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (U.N.T.H) Enugu, after which she ventured into academics as a Graduate Assistant (Research Fellow) in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, U.N.N. from 1982–1986. In the University system, she made a steady progress from Lecturer I in 1986 until she was made Senior Lecturer in 1990. She transferred to College of Medicine, U.N.N. in 1992, where she was made a Consultant Pharmacologist in 1996, a position she held until 12 April 2001. Due to her love for teaching and nurturing young ones, she was also a part-time lecturer of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists Lagos, Nigeria from 1992–1995.

Akunyili was also prepared for her administrative position at NAFDAC by her four years stint as Zonal Secretary of Petroleum Special Trust Fund (P.T.F.), co-coordinating all projects in the five South Eastern States of Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States). As a Scientist and a Scholar, she presented over 20 research papers in various local and International Scientific Conferences, and
published a book and 18 Journal Articles. She supervised PhD and Masters Candidates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and U.N.N. respectively both in Nigeria.

Akunyili was a devout Catholic and was married to Dr. J.C. Akunyili, of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu till her death. They had 6 children together. Her hobbies included reading and writing.