Statue of Dora Akunyili: A Monument Honoring Nigeria’s Fearless Reformer

Statue of Dora Akunyili: A Monument Honoring Nigeria’s Fearless Reformer

Statue of Dora Akunyili: A Monument Honoring Nigeria’s Fearless Reformer

The image shows a statue of Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, one of Nigeria’s most respected pharmacists, public health advocates, and reformers. The monument stands in Agulu, Anambra State, her hometown, as a lasting tribute to her unwavering fight against counterfeit drugs and her legacy of integrity in public service.

Professor Dora Akunyili was born on July 14, 1954, in Makurdi, Benue State, but hailed from Agulu in Anambra. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pharmacology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where she also earned her Ph.D. She began her career in academia, serving as a lecturer and later rising to become a senior lecturer at UNN.

Her national prominence began when she was appointed Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2001, a role she held until 2008. During her tenure, Akunyili launched an aggressive and unprecedented campaign against the production and distribution of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria. Her fearless actions — including raids, public education campaigns, and policy reforms — saved countless lives and restored public confidence in Nigeria’s health sector.

Beyond her work at NAFDAC, she also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Communications from 2008 to 2010, where she promoted the “Rebranding Nigeria” project aimed at improving the nation’s global image. Her courage, honesty, and dedication to national service earned her numerous awards both locally and internationally, including the Integrity Award by Transparency International in 2003.

The statue in Agulu was commissioned by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, as a tribute to her life of sacrifice, leadership, and moral strength. The sculpture, created by Sebastine Ugwuoke, captures her dignity and resilience — qualities that defined her public life.

Professor Dora Akunyili passed away on June 7, 2014, in India at the age of 59, after battling cancer. Her death was deeply mourned across Nigeria and beyond, as tributes poured in recognizing her as a woman who stood for truth and fought tirelessly for the good of her country.

Today, her statue in Agulu stands not only as a monument to her memory but also as a reminder of what courageous leadership and integrity can achieve in public service.

Sources:

Premium Times Nigeria: “Statue of Dora Akunyili Unveiled in Agulu” (2015)

NAFDAC Official Website: Biography of Professor Dora Akunyili

The Guardian Nigeria: “Remembering Dora Akunyili: A Legacy of Integrity and Reform” (2024)