The House of Representatives has passed a bill for second reading that aims to regulate the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines in Nigeria.
Jesse Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, highlighted during Thursday’s plenary that herbal medicine is a key part of Nigeria’s healthcare system, relied upon daily by millions of citizens.
He raised concerns that many herbal products are produced under unhygienic conditions, without dosage control, clinical testing, or safety certification, exposing users to 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 said.
The bill proposes the creation of a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee, a dedicated Department for Herbal Medicine Regulation within NAFDAC, and penalties for producing or selling unregistered or unsafe herbal products. A 12-month transitional period will allow practitioners to register and comply with the new standards.
“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,” Onuakalusi added.
Experts say the reform will strengthen public health safeguards, promote scientific validation of indigenous medicine, and position Nigeria to benefit from the growing global herbal medicine market.
Nigeria’s herbal medicine industry, mostly run by traditional healers and small-scale producers, has long operated outside formal oversight. Weak enforcement has led to concerns about safety, efficacy, and quality, even as demand continues to grow due to affordability, cultural acceptance, and limited trust in orthodox medicine.
