The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has announced the development of 27 natural medicines and health supplements over the past two years.
The Director-General of the agency, Professor Martins Emeje, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, stating that the achievement was made possible under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
He shared the progress as part of a review of the agency’s performance under the current administration.
Professor Emeje attributed the development to focused local research and development (R&D) efforts targeted at addressing Nigeria’s healthcare needs and reducing dependence on imported pharmaceuticals.
“We have successfully developed 27 products. Five have already been issued NAFDAC registration numbers, while 18 are undergoing regulatory assessment. Most have NAFDAC application numbers and are at the final stages of evaluation,” he said.
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He described the accomplishment as historic, noting that all the products were created entirely from indigenous resources plants, soil, water, and animals supported by scientific research and tailored to address local health issues.
Among the innovations are treatments for sickle cell disease, diabetes, ulcers, diarrhoea, immune support, anti-ageing, and malaria prevention, among others.
Emeje credited the success to strong political will and policy backing, particularly the 2022 National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).
He explained that the STI policy provides a strategic framework for innovation and aligns with the eight pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Emphasising the need for locally driven solutions, he remarked, “Every problem is local, and so must every solution be. Africa’s health challenges can only be solved using its own natural resources.”
Professor Emeje reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing natural medicine research and development, aiming to position Nigeria as a continental leader in evidence-based traditional medicine innovation.
