This department was established in the year 1971 after the Nigeria Briafran Civil war. The first pioneers were from the University of Ibadan. They are: Prof. Gilbert Onuaguluchi (MRCP, PhD), Dr. Paul Akugbue (PhD Pharm), Prof. Paul O. Okonkwo joined in 1973 from the Royal Medical College New York, Dr. Ezekiel Eziashi was an ancillary Anesthesiologist Staff.

The Department started with between 40-50 medical students that offered Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

The M.Sc and PhD programme in Pharmacology and Therapeutics was first mounted in this department in the year 1977.