The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has initiated a comprehensive national database of traditional medicine practitioners to standardize and strengthen the sector. According to NNMDA Director-General, Prof. Martins Emeje, the move aims to bring sanity and credibility to the traditional medicine ecosystem, which is currently disorganized. Approximately 80% of Nigerians, or over 160 million people, rely on traditional medicine, particularly in rural areas where access to conventional healthcare is limited.
The database, which was launched eight months ago, will verify practitioners’ records and issue them a unique number, providing full coordinates of their clinics. The agency plans to capture practitioners in all 774 Local Government Areas, starting with a pilot project in Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State. This initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategy to support member states in developing comprehensive databases of traditional medicine practitioners.
Emeje, who was recently appointed Co-Chair of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, emphasized the need for standardization and research in traditional medicine. He noted that despite its widespread use, traditional medicine receives less than 1% of global research funding. The NNMDA is working to address this gap, with its School of Traditional Medicine seeking accreditation and quality assurance for training programs.
The agency’s efforts are part of a broader push to integrate traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system, following the example of countries like China and India. Emeje believes that his position at WHO will enable Nigeria and Africa to contribute meaningfully to global policy discussions and research collaborations in traditional medicine. By leveraging WHO’s renewed focus on traditional medicine, Nigeria aims to attract improved research funding, generate scientific evidence, and validate the safety and efficacy of natural medicines.
The development of a national database of traditional medicine practitioners is a significant step towards recognizing and regulating the sector. With the pilot project underway, the NNMDA plans to present its proposal to the National Assembly and implement the initiative nationwide once funding is secured. As the agency works to standardize and strengthen traditional medicine, it is expected to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of Nigerians who rely on these practices.
