Senator Garba Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South, has urged the Senate to include traditional medicine in a proposed law aimed at reforming Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory system.
Maidoki made the call on Tuesday during the second reading of a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the Food and Drug Act, replacing them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products that impact public health.
According to the lawmaker, indigenous healing practices remain a vital source of healthcare for many Nigerians, especially those living in rural communities.
Rural Communities Depend on Traditional Medicine
Speaking in support of the bill, sponsored by Senator Sadiq Umar of Kwara North, Maidoki praised the legislation as a timely effort to modernise food and drug regulation but noted that it failed to address traditional medicine.
“I rise to also support this motion ably sponsored by Senator Suleiman Sadiq. This motion, as my colleague said, is apt, is timely, and is in good faith to modernise the practice of food and drug registration in Nigeria,” he said.
“But Mr. President, I want to bring to your attention that even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything on this bill concerning traditional medicine,” he added.
The senator argued that many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, still rely heavily on indigenous remedies.
“Most of our rural dwellers rely mostly on this traditional medicine. I think it is high time that we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.”
Indigenous Herbs Can Reduce Drug Imports, Maidoki Says
Maidoki maintained that giving legal recognition to traditional medicine could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported pharmaceuticals.
According to him, encouraging the use of locally sourced herbs and remedies would strengthen the country’s healthcare system while cutting import costs.
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He also urged the bill’s sponsor, a pharmacist, to work towards integrating traditional medicine practitioners into the nation’s healthcare framework.
“If this is done, the pharmacist Senator Suleiman will be able to incorporate these people and make this holistic,” he said.
The lawmaker further argued that some illnesses respond better to herbal remedies than conventional medicine.
“Even some of us that are senators, sometimes we rely on herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or the other, which sometimes modern medicine has no answer. Like if your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf.”
His comments drew laughter from fellow lawmakers.
Responding jokingly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: “Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor.”
Akpabio added that traditional African beliefs had been sidelined over time following the arrival of Western influence.
“It’s actually baffling that this was part of the African religion, but when the white people came, they now told us that we don’t need our ancestors. But I think from what you are saying, you are still using your ancestors,” he said.
Bill Advances
Following the debate, the Senate passed the bill for second reading.
If eventually passed into law, the legislation will repeal the two existing food and drug laws and establish a single regulatory framework governing food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products that affect public health in Nigeria.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.