The Federal Government has rolled out seven locally developed herbal medicines designed to combat major health conditions, including cancer, hepatitis B, hypertension and peptic ulcer disease, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen indigenous pharmaceutical innovation and reduce dependence on imported drugs.
The herbal products, developed by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), were unveiled on Tuesday in Lagos by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, during an official visit to the agency.
According to the agency, more than 22 herbal medicines have been developed from indigenous medicinal plants since 2023 to address various health challenges affecting Nigerians.
Speaking at the unveiling, Udeh said Nigeria possesses vast medicinal plant resources that can transform the nation’s healthcare sector and position the country as a major producer and exporter of natural medicines.
He assured that the Federal Government would address key challenges facing the agency, including inadequate funding, while promising to facilitate the establishment of a Clinical Observational Research Centre to strengthen scientific validation and commercialization of the products.
“We are going to move immediately and innovatively after this unveiling to establish the Clinical Observational Research Centre without waiting for funding from the 2027 budget,” the minister said, adding that alternative funding sources would be explored to fast-track the project.
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Udeh also praised the agency for its research into natural medicines for tropical diseases and other health conditions such as malaria, diabetes, sickle cell disease and erectile dysfunction, noting that Nigeria has the capacity to generate billions of dollars through the production and export of herbal medicines.
Director-General of the NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, said the agency is committed to changing the narrative of drug importation by producing standardized herbal medicines in forms such as capsules, tablets and syrups.
He explained that the newly launched products include Namdavir for hepatitis B, Namdacid for peptic ulcer disease, Turmegol for the prevention and management of colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancers, Namdorol for high cholesterol and hypertension, Namgor as a natural aphrodisiac, and Zobo Tea for hypertension management.
Emeje revealed that one of the herbal products, when fully commercialized across its value chain, has the potential to create about 3.5 million jobs, while urging the Federal Government to deepen investment in clinical research through the proposed Clinical Observational Research Centre.
Also speaking at the event, the Consul General of India in Lagos, Shri Kannan, called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and India in medicinal plant research, quality assurance, innovation and traditional medicine, noting that both countries possess rich biodiversity and centuries-old healing traditions capable of contributing to modern healthcare.