The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has stated that Nigeria lacks structured documentation and review of traditional medicine processes.
The Director General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, outlined these initiatives during his presentation, “Media as ambassadors of natural medicine”, at a press conference in Lagos, noting that this will change in 2025.
He also emphasized the need for improved research and systematic documentation of traditional medicine practices, along with specific strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance and livestock diseases.
According to Emeje, the NNMDA aims to create a comprehensive database on traditional medicine and at the same time review the country's biodiversity to boost research efforts.
Emeje highlighted the agency's progress in securing competitive research grants and revealed plans to use these funds to address antimicrobial resistance.
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“We will focus on identifying medicinal plants endemic to specific regions and developing products adapted to the diseases prevalent in those areas,” he said.
This approach, he added, seeks to empower local communities by reducing dependence on foreign medical aid. “The solutions to our health challenges are within our reach; We just need to take advantage of them,” he emphasized.
Emeje noted that NNMDA's 2025 agenda includes addressing livestock diseases, with partnerships already established with the Netherlands and India to develop herbal remedies.
He added that the agency is prioritizing cures for snake bites, a major public health problem, particularly in regions such as Katungu, Gombe State, known for its populations of venomous snakes.
“Snakebites represent a critical health insecurity. With funding, we are prepared to develop effective treatments and deploy them without delay,” Emeje said.
Reflecting on 2024, Emeje celebrated NNMDA's pioneering use of nanotechnology to create indigenous herbal products for the treatment of cholera, a feat that positioned the agency at the forefront of innovation in traditional medicine.
“Our model is based on research, science, technology and innovation. “We see each disease as a challenge that requires immediate and strategic action,” he stated.