Alabukun Powder is one of Nigeria’s most iconic and enduring pharmaceutical products, with a history that spans over a century. It was invented in 1918 by Jacob Sogboyega Odulate, popularly known as “Blessed Jacob,” a visionary Nigerian pharmacist and entrepreneur.

 Alabukun Powder is one of Nigeria’s most iconic and enduring pharmaceutical products, with a history that spans over a century. It was invented in 1918 by Jacob Sogboyega Odulate, popularly known as “Blessed Jacob,” a visionary Nigerian pharmacist and entrepreneur.

Jacob Odulate left home at the age of 14 and trekked for three months to Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he apprenticed under a pharmacist named Dr. Sapara. In 1918, he developed Alabukun Powder in his laboratory located in the Sapon area of Abeokuta. The formulation combined imported acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and caffeine, creating a fast-acting remedy for various ailments. Each sachet contains 760 mg of acetylsalicylic acid and 60 mg of caffeine.

Alabukun Powder quickly gained popularity due to its effectiveness and affordability. It became a household name in Nigeria and spread to neighboring countries like Benin Republic, Ghana, and Cameroon. Remarkably, despite minimal advertising, its reputation grew through word-of-mouth and the distribution of the “Alabukun Almanac,” a journal that provided health information and promoted the product.

Today, Alabukun Powder remains widely available in pharmacies, markets, and roadside stalls across Nigeria and has reached international markets, including the UK, USA, Brazil, and China.