FG Moves to Develop, Commercialise Herbal Medicines
The Federal Government of Nigeria is actively working to develop and commercialise herbal medicines as part of its strategic push to harness the country’s vast natural medicinal resources for both healthcare and economic development.
This was confirmed by the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe, in a recent statement reported by TheCable.
Dr. Adigwe highlighted that Nigeria’s rich biodiversity offers enormous potential for the production of safe, effective, and locally-sourced herbal treatments that can be integrated into mainstream medical practice. According to him, NIPRD has already made considerable progress in the validation and standardisation of certain indigenous herbal formulations, laying the groundwork for large-scale production and global competitiveness.
He stressed that the Institute, under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Health, is not only focused on research and scientific validation, but is also exploring avenues for industrial commercialisation. This includes collaboration with private investors, traditional medicine practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, and international partners to create a full value chain that transforms raw herbs into refined, market-ready medicinal products.
Dr. Adigwe pointed out that the global herbal medicine market is growing rapidly and that Nigeria must not be left behind. He emphasized the need for regulatory reforms, product quality assurance, and investment in research infrastructure to ensure that Nigerian herbal products can compete internationally and also contribute meaningfully to public health within the country.
This move is in line with the government’s broader agenda to diversify the economy, strengthen the healthcare system, and reduce dependency on imported pharmaceutical products.
The integration of scientifically proven herbal medicines into the national drug system is also expected to offer affordable healthcare options to millions of Nigerians, especially in rural areas where access to conventional medicine remains limited.
As efforts intensify, stakeholders are optimistic that with the right policy support and sustained investment, Nigeria could become a major player in the global phytomedicine industry—transforming indigenous knowledge into economic and health dividends for the nation.
