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  • NNMDA poised to combat cholera, others

    NNMDA poised to combat cholera, others

    •Agency begins work on AMR

    The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has said it is working on modalities to combat cholera outbreaks in Nigeria with natural medicine.

    The agency said it was focusing on how to effectively address antimicrobial resistance caused by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, a growing public health concern.

    It unveiled, earlier this year, four indigenous oral medicines as part of its commitment to promoting local solutions to healthcare challenges.

    NNMDA’s Director General, Prof. Martins Emeje, announced this during the agency’s hybrid end-of-the-year media engagement in Lagos.

    Emeje said there was an urgent need to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines, stressing that the nation must make deliberate and sustained efforts to harness its comparative advantage in the mass production of natural remedies. 

    The NNMDA director general announced that the agency had secured accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to award diplomas in Natural Medicine, a pointer to the agency’s commitment to repositioning Nigeria as a global hub for natural medicine. 

    He said the agency was engaging stakeholders and regulators to facilitate mass production of promising indigenous medicines, particularly for diseases, such as cholera and sickle cell anemia.

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    According to him, the process has reached an advanced stage with the agency awaiting approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) towards a transition to the next phases of clinical studies and trials, paving the way for mass production of the medicine. 

    Emeje stressed the need for natural medicine manufacturers to adhere to rigorous regulatory processes that would guarantee the safety and efficacy of natural medicines.

    “While we are waiting for approvals, we have also moved on. We shall be unveiling new products in 2025,” he said.

    The NNMDA director general acknowledged the challenges that antimicrobial resistance posed to national.

    He said the agency was committed to addressing this critical issue, given its far-reaching impact on the nation’s health security. 

    According to him, Nigeria has no reason to remain dependent on external solutions, citing environmental contamination, such as the presence of tetracycline in water systems, as a factor that diminishes the effectiveness of conventional treatments. 

    Emeje expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to integrate natural medicine into Nigeria’s mainstream health system, saying there was a growing global recognition of the agency’s achievements on international platforms. 

    The NNMDA director general announced that besides a four-year grant from the Canadian Institute for Health Research to advance natural medicine development, 16 professors of Medicine from the nation’s tertiary institutions were also collaborating with the agency on natural medicine initiatives.

    He emphasised the agency’s prioritisation of capacity building to address the reliance on outsourcing research to contractors, a situation he met on assumption of office. 

  • NNMDA DG advocates overhaul of educational curriculum

    NNMDA DG advocates overhaul of educational curriculum

    The Director General of the Nigerian National Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s educational curriculum to align with global technological and economic realities.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday during his conferment with the ‘National Outstanding Award as Vanguard of Good Leadership and Epitome of Hope’ by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Emeje described the current curriculum as outdated and ill-suited for the 21st century.

    He emphasized that in a rapidly globalizing world driven by advanced technologies across all sectors, the state of Nigeria’s educational system should be a matter of grave concern for stakeholders.

    Emeje, who pledged to contribute to the development of education in the country, stressed his commitment to improving the educational sector and promoting youth development for a better society.

    Drawing from his own humble educational background, he highlighted the importance of making the system more accessible and less burdensome for students.

    Being in this position can only accord me the opportunity to make my contributions toward finding ways to better the educational system.

    “NANS has the population and you are the end user of the curriculum, meaning that what you don’t want should not be there.

    “You need to utilize that number to engage stakeholders meaningfully,” Emeje said.

    Read Also: NNMDA lists economic, health gains from commercialising local medicinal plants

    Regarding the award, he noted that he accepted it out of numerous offers because of his commitment to youth development, a passion he has consistently demonstrated in his engagements.

    “When the youths pick you up for anything, if it is bad, they are right and if it is bad, they are right, they are the most vulnerable people and the vulnerable people see better.

    “Consider me as one of you and I will be committed to the development of the country through NANS,” he said.

    In his remarks, Abdullahi Bilal, Vice President of NANS, highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in education.

    “The government must prioritize education by increasing its budgetary allocation and addressing the issue of out-of-school children,” Bilal said.

    He also called for the proper implementation of the student loan initiative introduced by President Bola Tinubu to ensure it benefits Nigerian students without commercializing public education.

    Bilal also expressed concerns over outdated curricula, saying, “Our curricula should be designed to solve the problems of the Nigerian nation. NANS has always been at the forefront of advocating for educational advancement and will continue to champion this cause beyond tenures.”

    He explained that Emeje was selected for the award due to his contributions to youth development and his impactful work in the pharmaceutical field.

    “Prof. Emeje has shown a consistent trajectory of promoting youth empowerment and making meaningful contributions to society,” Bilal said.

  • NNMDA lists economic, health gains from commercialising local medicinal plants

    NNMDA lists economic, health gains from commercialising local medicinal plants

    • By Adekunle Yusuf, Emmanuel Chidi-Maha and Princess Iduh

    The Director-General of the Nigerian National Medicinal Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, has emphasised the significant economic and health advantages of commercialising local medicinal plants. In an exclusive interview, Prof. Emeje, a distinguished pharmacist and expert in pharmaco-economics and traditional medicine, provided an insightful analysis of how the strategic use of indigenous herbs could revolutionise both Nigeria’s economy and healthcare sector.

    His discussion highlighted the considerable economic benefits that could result from the systematic cultivation of medicinal plants. Using a recent example of a medicinal plant approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for malaria treatment, he illustrated a compelling scenario. Allocating 10 hectares of land for cultivating this plant could trigger a cascade of economic advantages. If Nigeria expanded this cultivation to 30 hectares, the impact would be even more pronounced. In this model, managing each 10-hectare plot would require approximately 20 workers, amounting to 60 jobs for just the farming phase. This figure represents the initial employment boost. Following harvest, the need to transport the plants to processing facilities would create additional jobs in the transportation sector. Prof. Emeje likened the logistics of this process to the transport network employed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during elections, suggesting that similar coordination could significantly impact employment in transportation.

    Beyond transportation, once the raw materials arrive at processing facilities, further job opportunities would arise. Skilled workers in fields such as chemistry, biology, botany, and pharmacy would be required for sorting, cleaning, drying, and manufacturing processes, thus stimulating broader economic activity. Prof. Emeje stressed that the creation of processing facilities would spur growth in related industries, including quality assurance laboratories and manufacturing units, addressing local unemployment and economic hardship.

    The NNMDA DG’s vision extends to a transformative shift in healthcare delivery through the integration of traditional medicine with modern pharmaceutical practices. He proposed the establishment of herbal clinics or wellness centres based on medicinal plant farms. These centres would offer patients a unique therapeutic environment, utilising fresh, locally sourced herbs for treatment. Such wellness centres could serve as an alternative to conventional healthcare facilities, potentially reducing the need for medical tourism. By providing a holistic approach to health, Nigeria could retain capital that would otherwise be spent abroad and enhance its reputation as a destination for traditional medicine. This shift could also foster a more inclusive healthcare system, integrating indigenous knowledge with modern medical practices.

    On the international stage, Prof. Emeje highlighted Nigeria’s potential to become a major player in the global medicinal plant market. By adhering to global quality standards, such as ISO 22000 for food safety management, Nigeria could position itself as a key exporter of medicinal herbs. Current market leaders like China and India dominate this sector, with the U.S. being a major consumer. If Nigeria develops a robust system for cultivating and processing medicinal plants, it could tap into this lucrative market, generating significant export revenue. A notable challenge identified by Prof. Emeje is the public perception of traditional medicine. Despite its historical and cultural significance, scepticism remains, particularly among the educated elite. This scepticism often stems from colonial-era biases that favoured Western medicine over indigenous practices.

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    Prof. Emeje expressed optimism about changing attitudes, driven by increasing scientific validation and expert support for traditional medicine. He pointed to successful examples of integrating traditional and modern practices as models for future development, suggesting that shifting public perception could enhance the acceptance and utilisation of traditional medicine.

    Looking to the future, the don is hopeful about the role of natural medicine in Nigeria’s healthcare system. With continued expert support and growing recognition of indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine could become a cornerstone of national healthcare strategies. Developing local production facilities, wellness homes, and rigorous quality assurance processes could revolutionise healthcare delivery, making it more accessible and affordable while boosting local economic activity. Prof. Emeje also emphasised the need for public awareness campaigns to build trust in traditional medicine. Investment in research and development is crucial to validate herbal treatments and ensure they meet international standards. Strengthening collaborations between traditional practitioners and modern scientists will be essential for advancing the field and ensuring the effective integration of traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    To fully realise the benefits of commercialising medicinal plants, several challenges must be addressed. Prof. Emeje stressed the importance of overcoming public scepticism through education and awareness campaigns. Additionally, substantial investment in research and development is needed to validate and standardise herbal treatments. Strengthening collaborations between traditional and modern medical practitioners will be essential for advancing the field and ensuring the effective integration of traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system.

  • Over 160m Nigerians can’t afford imported drugs, says NNMDA

    Over 160m Nigerians can’t afford imported drugs, says NNMDA

    Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has lamented Nigeria’s over-dependence on the importation of drugs and other healthcare products.

    The director general of the agency, Prof. Martins Emeje stated this at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka during a community engagement meeting on the importance of Integrating Indigenous Medicine with Orthodox Health Practices for Community Health and Economic Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

    Emeje regretted that while over 160 million Nigerians could not afford imported drugs, over 40 percent of drugs in the pharmaceutical space globally originated from plants.

    He said: “Nigeria and Africa have been over-dependent on the importation of healthcare products, including drugs. As of today, Nigeria doesn’t manufacture a single drug. This is quite painful and shameful.

    “This simply means we’re insecure in terms of medicine, not just the insecurity we all know. That is why we decided to see how we can develop our own indigenous and natural medicine so we can produce our drugs locally.

    “Over 40% of current drugs in the pharmaceutical space globally are from the plant origin, not to talk of animals, minerals and soil. For every disease, the solution is within the environment. There’s no disease in Nigeria that the panacea is not here.

    “We can boast of men and women in our cultural heritage of herbal and traditional medical practitioners with a wealth of knowledge and experience of how to tackle all manner of diseases in our society. That’s why our ancestors lived for over 100 years.

    “But today, life expectancy is less than 60 years. That’s because we’ve thrown away our culture and heritage and are busy exporting and exploiting our cultural bio-diversity and depending on imported pharmaceuticals.

    “This engagement is part of a research project involving five countries of China, India, United Kingdom, Uganda and Nigeria who are collaborating to find solutions to the problem of anti-microbial using herbal medicine of Nigeria origin.

    “My agency is leading Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Obafemi Awolowo University with Prof. Charles Esimone and Prof Ibrahim Bellow as part of Nigeria’s team to develop this medicine.

    Emeje further announced that plans had been concluded by the agency to establish research farms in all 774 local governments in Nigeria as well as herbal clinics in all states.

    “The research farms are for integrated cultivation, medical production, and functional foods, among others. Currently, that of Kano State is 90% completed, while that of Plateau and Cross River States just commenced.”

    Identifying one of the Agency’s visions as citizens’ decolonisation through proper education on placing a premium on indigenous medicine, the DG said NNMDA had been organising training through its College of Natural Medicine where students receive lectures in different languages.

    “We’ve been embarking on massive public enlightenment and training to tackle the issue of inferiority complex. We must believe in ourselves and what we can offer so others will take us seriously and buy into our products,” he added.

    The DG further allayed fears of intellectual property, saying, “The act establishing our agency clearly stated that intellectual property of all inventors and innovators is properly protected. The era of doubting trust on the part of government is gone.

    Host Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone said the engagement was targeted at harvesting indigenous knowledge of medical plants for affordable, sustainable, and acceptable healthcare.

    He said: “We’re trying to harvest indigenous knowledge in terms of medicinal plants, document and explore them further for affordable, sustainable, and acceptable healthcare within and outside our environment.

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    “Nigeria is a big country to overlook or underate, especially in the area of healthcare provision and we have a comparative advantage in terms of natural medicine.

    “We also have very rich, but untapped bio-diversity. Regrettably, our traditional healers with enormous endowments are going to their graves with those endowments.

    “Universities are supposed to provide policy direction based on empirical research they’ve done. UNIZIK has a track record in terms of research in pharmaceuticals with corresponding strong pharmaceutical faculty and extensive collaboration nationally and internationally.

    Deputy Director/State Coordinator, Anambra State Office, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharm Louis Madubuattah assured the agency’s support to the project, including addressing the challenge of clinical trials and product certification for marketing.

    He called for visibility and collaboration on the part of herbal medicine practitioners, as well as seeking grants and investors towards battling the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

    On his part, the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, Chief Hyacinth Ezeugo canvassed for traditional medicine hospitals in each state of the federation.