The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency have partnered to conduct clinical trials that will confirm the safety and effectiveness of Nigerian herbal medicines.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the collaboration in Lagos, describing it as a major step toward global recognition of Nigeria’s traditional remedies.
She explained that while thousands of herbal products have been listed for temporary approval, only a few have undergone full scientific testing.
Professor Adeyeye said the new partnership will select promising herbal medicines already listed by NAFDAC for clinical trials, paving the way for full registration and inclusion in the national formulary.
She emphasized that no herbal product will receive long-term approval without scientific proof of safety and efficacy, adding that “natural” does not always mean “harmless.”
NAFDAC, she added, will continue to train herbal practitioners to improve product quality and manufacturing standards.
News edited by Peace Araga