The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has called for developing and commercialisation of natural medicines in the country.
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The minister said this would prevent importation of natural medicines into the country.

Nnaj said this during a visit to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday, adding that “it is time for Nigerians to develop their natural medicines rather than importing medicines from abroad.”

He said Nigeria has natural herbs and plants that can be developed and they would cure malaria, diabetes, cancers, among other order health challenges that could help in reducing medical tourism in the country.

He said that natural medicines experts should focus more on natural plants and herbs where people can live long life and remain healthy without suffering from diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer among others.

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Prof. Martins Emeje, said the agency has developed natural medicines that could cure sickle cell disorder and old aging sicknesses.
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He said: “For instance, the locally made zobo drink we produce it and it is very good for people who suffer high blood pressure therefore I urged Nigerians to come back to their own medicinal plants”.

Emeje explained that the agency was established to research, develop, promote,collate, document, and preserve Nigeria’s indigenous (traditional) health care system, medications, and non-medications healing arts, sciences, technologies, bio-resourcesand facilitate their integration into the national healthcare delivery system; and forrelated matters. Your presence here today underscores the importance and relevanceof our agency’s mission in the advancement of health and wealth creation in Nigeria.
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He said he took over the leadership of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency(NNMDA) on the 9th of May 2023. The Agency as at the time of assumption of duty/office was indebted in the sum of over N62 million Naira. However, with little or no fund, with team work he was able to break fallowed ground by applying a principle of “let us start with those things that does not require funds” and so I was not discouraged by lack of fund. Today, it is very clear that within these 9Months in office we were able to make remarkable landmarks in the following areas.

He said the agency has been able to establish collaborative and partnership relationship with the West Africa Health Organization, United State Pharmacopoeia (USP), Aberdeen Commercial,Evans Baroque Pharmaceutical Industry, Indian High Commission to Nigeria, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, The Ensieca Real Homes Ltd, Chrisland University,Nnamdi Azikiwe University, University of Southampton, Bloom Public Health, Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), The Nigeria Union of Complementaryand Alternative Medicines (NUCAM), The Nigeria Television Authority, the StandardOrganization of Nigeria, SERVICOM, Pharmacy Society of Nigeria (PSN), SocialInnovation In Health Initiative(SIHI), Songhai Farm in Porto-Novo, Alimosho local government Area in Lagos State, World Health Organization, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Association of Lady Pharmacists among others, all for Staff capacity development, laboratory standardisation, product standardisation, welfare among others.
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The DG, said the agency has been able to secure approval from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for the training of pharmacist interns. We are pursuing accreditation with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council and Medical and Laboratory Council of Nigeria. We are determined to educate our western-trained colleagues in this specialized but endangered area of indigenous medicine.

In Higher Educational Institution Accreditation, he said the agency has full accreditation from the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Board for Technical Education asa tertiary institution. We are the only innovative enterprise in Nigeria offering national diploma certificate in natural medicine.

In terms of community engagement meetings, he noted the agency within this short period was able to conduct three community engagement meetings covering the entire nation.

He said note this is the fact that the community engagement was conducted without a single kobo from the Nigerian government. Under my leadership, as a researcher at NIPRD where I attracted a grant ofover $11.6 million for pharmaceutical research and development in NNMDA for the first time obtained a foreign grant to execute its community-driven research agenda. We are now writing a £3 million research grant. We thank the minister for giving us the opportunity and peace of mind which is responsible for our ability to think innovatively.
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