Olusegun Haastrup
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the production, regulation, and promotion of natural medicine in Nigeria.
This assurance was given by the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed-Badau, during a working visit to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) headquarters in Lagos.
Alhaji Ahmed-Badau expressed confidence in the potential of Nigeria’s plant-based medicines to become a significant source of export earnings. He also emphasised the House of Representatives’ resolve to support the agency’s innovative strides.
“We are impressed by what we’ve seen here. We have asked the Director-General to highlight specific areas where the House can offer support to help the agency realise its goals,” he stated.
The Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Martins Emeje, expressed appreciation for the federal government’s recent backing, noting that the support has been vital in refocusing the agency’s mission on improving the health of Nigerians.
He noted that through collaborations with key bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the NNMDA is actively engaging communities in health research and empowering them to take ownership of their health outcomes.
“I feel fulfilled and excited that Nigerians are finally being liberated from dependence on foreign medicines. With the right legislative support, in the next twelve months, we hope to become a net exporter of medicinal plants,” Professor Emeje said.
The NNMDA is also expanding its innovations in the development of livestock therapeutic formulations to encourage the use of locally made animal medicines.
During the visit, lawmakers toured various facilities, including laboratories and the agency’s natural medicine pharmacy.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Best Intern Award to Ms. Baraka Murtala, who was recognised for her exceptional performance in the pharmaceutical unit.