FG Sets Up Committee to Boost Phytomedicine Industry and Merge Traditional With Modern Healthcare
The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a Ministerial Committee focused on developing the phytomedicine value chain, marking a significant step towards integrating traditional and modern healthcare practices. The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aims to establish a vibrant phytomedicine industry that supports public health, improves rural livelihoods, and strengthens Nigeria’s economy.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced the inauguration, emphasizing that the move reflects the administration’s commitment to economic diversification, universal health coverage, job creation, and wealth generation.
“This is not just a health policy; it is also a socio-economic policy,” said Dr. Salako. He added that commercializing the phytomedicine value chain would create employment across various sectors such as plant conservation, cultivation, harvesting, and local industrial production of herbal medicines.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and long-standing use of medicinal plants could be leveraged to improve healthcare outcomes and position the country within the global herbal medicine market. “We aim to ensure Nigeria becomes a key player in this fast-growing global sector,” he stated.
Dr. Obi Adigwe, Chairman of the Committee and Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), assured that the team would collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that phytomedicines are high quality, safe, effective, and affordable. He stressed that the project would drive economic transformation and strengthen healthcare delivery.
“We will lead every stage—from discovery and formulation to clinical validation and global export,” Dr. Adigwe said. “Our focus is not only health improvement but also revenue generation and high-value job creation.”
The committee comprises representatives from government agencies, the private sector, traditional medicine practitioners, and international partners, including the World Health Organization.
The Committee’s Terms of Reference include:
- Developing a comprehensive commercialization framework for phytomedicinal products
- Identifying medicinal products with strong market potential
- Recommending policy reforms and regulatory measures
- Creating capacity-building pathways for stakeholders like traditional healers, scientists, and entrepreneurs
- Proposing sustainable financing and investment strategies
- Aligning efforts with national and global health practices, especially WHO’s traditional medicine guidelines
This development is expected to bridge the gap between indigenous knowledge and scientific innovation, ensuring Nigeria’s natural medicinal resources contribute meaningfully to both healthcare delivery and economic progress.
FG inaugurates committee on phytomedicine value chain
