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In the face of colonial European medical practitioners and the involvement of Christian missionaries in the development of Nigeria’s medical space, the survival involvement of Nigerians in this field during this period can be considered ‘ground-breaking.’ The identity of Nigerians in the medical space can be attributed to the colonial perspective on Nigeria’s indigenous medical practices, processes and drugs as backward, coupled with the limited medical literacy available to Nigerians during this period. However, during this critical time, Chief Jacob Saboyega Odulate – a reputable pharmacist, is one of the excluded voices who contributed to Nigeria’s medical space through indigenous knowledge and Western methods to contribute to Nigeria’s health and medical space. Chief Jacob Odulate established the Alabukun Pharmaceutical industry around 1918 to produce pharmaceutical products under the trademark of Alabunkun Mentholine (a soothing balm) and Alabukun A.P.C (now Alabunkun Powder), among others. Apart from the indigenous trademark, two important themes are important in the study of Chief Jacob Odulate and Alabukun Pharmaceutical in Nigeria’s medical space. One, Alabukun pharmaceutical drugs have existed since 1918 till the contemporary period of over a century (105 years); second, Alabukun has received wide acceptance among Nigerians and beyond. The study historicises the contribution of Chief Jacob Odulate and the Alabukun pharmaceutical industry. The article relies on secondary data sources.

Alabukun, Chief Saboyega Odulate, Medicine, Nigeria, Pharmaceutical Industry,