FG Advocates Research and Regulation in Traditional Medicine

On August 31, 2026, in Abuja, the Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing traditional medicine as a vital part of the country's health and economic development agenda. Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, spoke at the 2026 African Traditional Medicine Day, which focused on research and development in traditional medicine to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Africa.

He stressed the importance of rigorous scientific evaluation for traditional medicine products and practices, stating that cultural acceptance alone is insufficient as scientific evidence. The Nigerian Traditional Medicine Policy aims to provide a framework for the sector's development and integration into the national healthcare system.

Dr. Salako highlighted the establishment of the Department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine to promote and commercialize traditional medicine. He also mentioned the unveiling of the Strategic Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Traditional Medicine Policy and the Code of Ethics for practitioners to enhance standardization and safety.