Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to drive the development of Nigeria’s indigenous pharmaceutical industry as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imported medicines and strengthen healthcare delivery.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, made the call during the Senate Committee on Finance’s investigative hearing on the remittance of internally generated revenue (IGR) and operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the 2023–2025 fiscal years.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said Nigeria possesses abundant medicinal plants with proven therapeutic potential that could be scientifically developed into certified pharmaceutical products capable of meeting local healthcare needs while boosting the economy.

She urged NAFDAC to intensify research, strengthen regulatory frameworks and encourage investments in the processing of indigenous medicinal plants into internationally certified medicines.

According to her, developing an indigenous pharmaceutical industry would help improve access to affordable healthcare, promote scientific innovation, create jobs and reduce the nation’s reliance on imported drugs.

“NAFDAC should champion the development of an indigenous pharmaceutical industry by refining and processing our medicinal plants into capsules, tablets, syrups and other certified medicines.

“We have valuable plants such as moringa, bitter leaf, dongoyaro (neem), and many others that can be scientifically developed into quality pharmaceutical products capable of improving healthcare outcomes while reducing our reliance on imported medicines,” she said.

The senator noted that Nigeria’s rich biodiversity presents enormous opportunities for the pharmaceutical sector if properly harnessed through research, standardisation and investment.

She added that a well-regulated herbal pharmaceutical industry would complement conventional medicine, strengthen local content in healthcare delivery and enhance Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.

Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that developing plant-based medicines could position Nigeria as a major producer of herbal pharmaceutical products in Africa while creating new sources of revenue and employment.

Responding, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, acknowledged the potential of indigenous medicinal plants in pharmaceutical development and agreed that Nigeria has significant opportunities in the sector.

She, however, stressed that transforming medicinal plants into safe, effective and globally acceptable medicines would require sustained investment in scientific research and development.

According to her, extensive research, clinical validation, standardisation and adequate funding are critical to ensuring that plant-based products meet international pharmaceutical standards.

Adeyeye said increased financial support would enable the agency to expand research activities and drive innovation in the development of medicines derived from indigenous plants.

The exchange occurred as the Senate Committee on Finance continued its oversight of government agencies’ financial remittances, with NAFDAC appearing before the panel to account for its internally generated revenue and operating surplus for the period under review.