Fatimah Otunsanya
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act to empower the agency to regulate the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines in Nigeria.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill during Thursday’s plenary, Jesse Onuakalusi, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, described herbal medicine as a crucial component of Nigeria’s healthcare system, relied upon daily by millions of citizens.
He, however, expressed concern that most herbal products currently in circulation are produced under unhygienic conditions, with no dosage control, clinical testing, or safety certification, exposing users to serious health risks including poisoning, infections, and organ damage.
“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”, Onuakalusi noted.
The proposed legislation provides for the expansion of NAFDAC’s functions to include herbal and traditional medicinal products, and the establishment of a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee to guide the agency on standardisation and documentation of indigenous knowledge.
It also seeks to create a dedicated Department for Herbal Medicine Regulation within NAFDAC and introduce penalties for the production or sale of unregistered or unsafe herbal products.
The bill further proposes a 12-month transitional period for practitioners to register and comply with the new standards.
According to Onuakalusi, the amendment will strengthen public health safeguards, promote scientific validation of indigenous medicine, and position Nigeria to benefit from the expanding 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.
The bill was unanimously supported and referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.
Nigeria’s herbal medicine industry, deeply rooted in centuries of indigenous knowledge, remains a vital yet largely unregulated part of the nation’s healthcare system. For millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural and low-income communities, herbal remedies are often the first and sometimes only source of treatment for a wide range of ailments, from malaria and infertility to diabetes and hypertension.
The sector is dominated by traditional healers, roadside vendors, and small-scale producers who operate outside formal oversight.
While NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies are tasked with monitoring herbal products, enforcement remains weak due to the industry’s informal structure and widespread use.
This lack of regulation has led to growing concerns over safety, efficacy, and quality control, with cases of adulteration, contamination, and unverified health claims becoming increasingly common.
Despite these risks, Nigeria’s herbal medicine trade continues to expand, driven by affordability, cultural acceptance, and waning trust in orthodox medicine.
Policymakers and health experts agree that meaningful reform, through regulation, research, and practitioner training, is essential to harness the sector’s potential while safeguarding public health.