Nigeria Urged to Fund Research on Medicinal Plants

During her 108th inaugural lecture titled "Search for Beauty: Unraveling Phytoceuticals and Phytonutrients," Professor Folakemi Oyetayo from Ekiti State University called on the Nigerian government to provide funding for scientific research into the country's underutilized medicinal plants. She emphasized that these plants contain bioactive phytochemicals with promising nutritional and medicinal properties that could address nutritional deficiencies and manage degenerative disorders.

Oyetayo pointed out that despite Nigeria's rich biodiversity, many indigenous plants remain underutilized. She urged relevant stakeholders to prioritize education and health professions in promoting lesser-known medicinal plants.

Additionally, she recommended the establishment of botanical gardens and herbaria to improve access to these plants and ensure their conservation. Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, described the lecture as a significant opportunity to leverage Nigeria's abundant plant resources to improve public health and reduce reliance on orthodox medicine.