The House of Representatives has advanced a bill to the second reading that aims to amend the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act, granting the agency full authority to oversee the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines across Nigeria.
Presenting the general principles of the bill during Thursday’s plenary, Jesse Onuakalusi, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, described herbal medicine as an essential part of Nigeria’s healthcare system, heavily relied upon by millions daily.
Onuakalusi expressed deep concern over the unsafe production and circulation of herbal medicines nationwide, explaining that many of these products are made under unhygienic conditions without proper dosage control, scientific testing, or certification—putting users at risk of poisoning, infections, and organ failure.
He stated, “The current NAFDAC Act does not explicitly empower the Agency to regulate herbal medicines. This amendment seeks to close that gap by granting NAFDAC clear authority to register, certify, and monitor all herbal products to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality.”
The proposed legislation seeks to broaden NAFDAC’s mandate to cover herbal and traditional medicinal products. It also provides for the creation of a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee to assist the agency in standardising and documenting indigenous healing practices.
Additionally, the bill proposes setting up a dedicated Department for Herbal Medicine Regulation within NAFDAC and introduces penalties for individuals or organisations involved in the production or sale of unsafe or unregistered herbal medicines.
Practitioners will be given a 12-month grace period to register and comply with the new standards once the amendment becomes law.
According to Onuakalusi, this legislative reform will enhance public health safety, promote scientific verification of indigenous medicine, and position Nigeria as a key player in the growing global herbal medicine market.
“This amendment will integrate the valuable contributions of traditional practitioners within a regulated framework, ensuring safety while supporting local economic growth through research and commercialisation,” he added.
Following broad support from members, the bill was referred to the relevant committee for further legislative scrutiny and recommendations.
Nigeria’s herbal medicine sector, rooted in centuries-old indigenous knowledge, remains a crucial but largely unregulated part of the healthcare system. For millions of Nigerians—especially in rural and low-income areas—herbal remedies are often the primary or only treatment option for conditions such as malaria, infertility, diabetes, and hypertension.
The industry is dominated by traditional healers, street vendors, and small producers who often operate outside formal oversight. Although NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies are tasked with monitoring herbal products, weak enforcement and informal structures have allowed unsafe practices to persist.
This lack of oversight has raised increasing public health concerns, including cases of product adulteration, contamination, and exaggerated or false medical claims.
Despite the risks, herbal medicine continues to thrive in Nigeria due to its affordability, accessibility, and cultural acceptance, even as trust in conventional medicine declines.
Health experts and lawmakers agree that establishing a robust regulatory framework—through proper oversight, scientific research, and practitioner education—will be key to unlocking the sector’s economic and therapeutic potential while ensuring the protection of public health.
What You Should Know
Nigeria’s herbal medicine industry is a vital yet poorly regulated part of the country’s healthcare system.
The proposed amendment to the NAFDAC Act seeks to introduce comprehensive regulation for herbal medicines by empowering NAFDAC to certify, register, and monitor all herbal products. This initiative is designed to improve safety, eliminate fake or harmful remedies, and integrate traditional medicine into a structured framework that encourages innovation, research, and job creation.
If passed, the reform could help bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
