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The Federal Government has introduced a strategic initiative focused on diversifying the economy and promoting healthcare innovation.
This initiative aims to tap into the economic and therapeutic possibilities offered by Nigeria’s rich biodiversity by developing the phytomedicine value chain.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, officially launched a ministerial committee in Abuja to lead this initiative.
Salako remarked that Nigeria is on the verge of transforming its vast collection of medicinal plants into a vibrant avenue for economic growth and enhanced healthcare services.
He stressed that while Nigerian communities have historically utilized medicinal plants for traditional healing, these resources have not been fully utilized to enhance the wider economy and health system.
The new Phytomedicine Value Chain Initiative is intended to change this narrative by incorporating traditional medicine into established economic and healthcare systems.
“This initiative serves as both a health and socio-economic policy. It aligns with the government's larger objectives of achieving Universal Health Coverage, creating jobs, and fostering economic diversification,” Salako noted.
He further stated that commercializing Nigeria’s phytomedicine sector will create jobs in areas such as plant conservation, cultivation, harvesting, and large-scale production of herbal medicinal products. This initiative will also position the country to receive its share of the rapidly growing global phytomedicine market.
“A significant aspect of this initiative is the newly formed ministerial committee tasked with devising a comprehensive commercialization framework, recommending policy reforms, and establishing strong regulatory systems to ensure safety, efficacy, and a supportive business climate,” he added.
In addition, Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe, echoed the need for Nigeria to actively engage in the nearly $500 million global phytomedicine industry. “For a nation endowed with such abundant natural resources, our continued underrepresentation in this market is no longer acceptable,” Adigwe stated.
He pointed out that recent presidential initiatives, including the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Value Chains and the Executive Order on Pharma and Allied Sectors, have created a favorable environment for substantial advancements.
Adigwe mentioned that NIPRD has established a strong foundation through years of research and evidence-based approaches, and now aims to expand and introduce Nigerian phytomedicines to both domestic and global markets.
Phytomedicine encompasses medicinal products derived from plants and plant extracts like roots and barks, utilized for the prevention, treatment, and management of various diseases such as malaria and diabetes.
In Nigeria, various plants are employed in traditional medicine and are gaining acknowledgment for their commercial and therapeutic potential.
Examples include neem leaf extract for ulcer treatment and bitter leaf and scent leaf for respiratory conditions management.
Worldwide, phytomedicines like Echinacea and Ginseng are recognized for their immune-boosting and energy-enhancing properties, underscoring the significant opportunities for merging traditional remedies with modern healthcare and economic frameworks.
