The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has recorded notable progress in reshaping the traditional medicine landscape in the country.
Speaking at an event to mark African Traditional Medicine Day, the Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Martins Emeje, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collating, documenting, developing, preserving, and promoting Nigeria’s rich natural medicine heritage.
The event, themed “Training and Documentation: The Panacea for Strengthening Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine in Nigeria,” was organised by NNMDA in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
The professor of pharmacy and nanotechnology emphasised the agency’s role in boosting indigenous medicine research and development, promoting innovation in healthcare, and empowering communities through the integration of natural medicine into Nigeria’s system.
NNMDA handles academic training
The NNMDA Director-General explained that the agency’s establishment act mandates it to train traditional medical practitioners in Nigeria, describing the NNMDA as the academic equivalent of a university for traditional medicine.
He said that while NNMDA handles academic training, the proposed Traditional Medicine Council, once established, will oversee professional conduct and practice.
Not to manage academics.
Prof. Emeje explained that the Council Bill is not intended to manage academic training but to regulate professional behaviour.
“The NNMDA is the awarding body for traditional medicine under the National Skills Qualification launched by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, a few weeks ago. So everything about training in traditional medicine is the responsibility of the agency,” he elaborated.
The NNMDA also offers short training courses and modules in traditional medicine and full-fledged academic programmes. The agency has also initiated the development of a culturally grounded national school for traditional medicine, where indigenous practitioners will practise.
NNMDA’s Milestones
On the role of NNMDA in documentation and training, the DG said, “The agency has done a lot in the area of documentation and training in the last two years of this administration. For example, we now have an accredited College of Natural Medicine.”
NNMDA has established an accredited College of Natural Medicine, providing a formal education framework for traditional medical practitioners. The college has already started awarding certificates to students, with the pioneer students set to graduate soon.
Other achievements
The agency also created Nigeria’s first national digital database for traditional medical practitioners, featuring audio and video records and enabling real-time access to information. This database includes details of practitioners and their services, making it easier to regulate and monitor traditional medicine practices.
The keynote speaker at the event noted that Dr. John Tor-Agbidye spoke about the importance of training and documentation in building credibility and trust in traditional medicine.
He notes that these efforts will foster integration into national health systems, encourage innovation, and protect cultural heritage.
A pharmacist, Dr. Zainab Sharrif, also urges NNMDA to enhance research and development of indigenous medicine to meet increasing healthcare demands in the country.