Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, has described his appointment to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Advisory Group on Traditional Medicine as a major milestone for Nigeria, Africa and global healthcare, saying it validates years of advocacy for integrating traditional medicine into formal health systems.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, Emeje said his appointment marked the first time a Black African had been named to the WHO’s advisory structure on traditional medicine, stressing that the development reflected growing global recognition of Nigeria’s efforts in the sector.
“The appointment is highly significant, not just for me, but for my country and my continent. It confirms that the work we have been doing in the last two years is gaining global attention,” Emeje said.
He argued that traditional and natural medicine should no longer be described as “alternative” medicine, noting that it remains the primary source of healthcare for the majority of the world’s population, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“We should stop calling natural medicine alternative medicine. This is what the majority of our people use,” he stated.
Emeje acknowledged concerns that Nigeria has yet to fully harness traditional medicine as a source of foreign exchange, but said the challenge was global, not unique to Nigeria. According to him, despite widespread use, less than one per cent of global research funding is allocated to traditional medicine.
“You use money to look for money. Even though most of the world uses traditional medicine, less than one per cent of research funding goes into it. That imbalance explains why we are not generating enough evidence, patents or foreign exchange from this sector,” he said.
He disclosed that one of the key priorities of the WHO Advisory Group’s 2026–2027 work plan would be increased funding for research and development in traditional medicine, alongside stronger regulatory frameworks, evidence generation, and integration into national healthcare systems.
Responding to scepticism around safety and efficacy, Emeje rejected claims that traditional medicine lacks scientific evidence.
“People who say there is no evidence of safety or efficacy are talking about what they do not understand. Which school of traditional medicine did they attend?” he asked.
He revealed that NNMDA had established Nigeria’s first School of Traditional Medicine, aimed at training practitioners, pharmacists and researchers, adding that formal education was essential to standardising the sector.
“There are schools of traditional medicine across the globe, and in the last two years, we have started one in Nigeria at NNMDA,” he said.
Emeje also criticised what he described as Nigeria’s “colonial mentality”, arguing that it had shaped negative perceptions of traditional medicine and practitioners.
“It is colonialism that makes us look down on our own systems. In my village, the man treating people locally may be more important than an English-speaking professor,” he said, describing himself proudly as a “DG Babalao”.
He explained that NNMDA had begun the first nationwide digital documentation of traditional medical practitioners, their practices and products, describing it as a crucial step towards standardisation and regulation.
“We must have data. Just as pharmacists have registration numbers, traditional medical practitioners must also be documented and numbered,” Emeje said, adding that the project had begun about eight months earlier.
According to him, over 16 professors of medicine and more than 23 institutions are currently collaborating with NNMDA in a multidisciplinary effort involving doctors, pharmacists, chemists, anthropologists and other experts.
“There is no way to do good scientific research without collaboration. Natural medicine requires multidisciplinary input,” he said.
Emeje insisted that rigorous research protocols, adapted specifically for traditional medicine, were being developed to properly assess safety, quality and efficacy.
“Quality simply means that what you have produces the desired outcome consistently and safely. That is exactly what we are working towards,” he said.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s growing role at the WHO would translate into stronger domestic support, noting that the House of Representatives had already passed a resolution calling for the prioritisation of natural medicine.
“Charity begins at home. What we are doing locally is being watched globally. Nigeria must not be put to shame,” Emeje added.
He concluded that integrating traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system was essential for improving access, especially for rural populations, and for positioning the country as a global leader in natural medicine development.
Boluwatife Enome
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