The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a landmark partnership with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to advance the development of scientifically validated herbal medicines that meet international standards.
This collaboration marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to traditional medicine, with both agencies committing to rigorous clinical trials to ensure the safety, efficacy, and global competitiveness of indigenous remedies. The initiative aims to move beyond mere listing of herbal products to full registration based on scientific evidence.
“We are determined to elevate Nigerian herbal medicine to global recognition,” said NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a press briefing in Lagos. “Our goal is to ensure that only safe and effective products, backed by clinical data, reach consumers.”
The partnership will leverage NNMDA’s expertise in natural medicine research and NAFDAC’s regulatory framework to create a robust pipeline for testing and approving herbal formulations. According to Adeyeye, Nigerian herbal practitioners possess the capacity to develop remedies that rival international standards, provided they undergo proper scientific validation.