The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act to give the agency full authority to regulate the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines in Nigeria.
Sponsor of the bill, Jesse Onuakalusi, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said during Thursday’s plenary that herbal medicine remains a critical part of Nigeria’s healthcare system, relied upon daily by millions of citizens.
He, however, raised concern that most herbal products currently in circulation are produced under unsafe and unhygienic conditions, with little to no dosage control, clinical testing, or safety certification—posing serious health risks such as poisoning, infections, and organ damage.
“The current NAFDAC Act does not explicitly empower the agency to regulate herbal medicines,” Onuakalusi said. “This amendment seeks to close that gap by giving NAFDAC clear authority to register, certify, and monitor all herbal products to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality.”
The proposed amendment would expand NAFDAC’s functions to cover herbal and traditional medicinal products, establish a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee to guide standardisation efforts, and create a dedicated Department for Herbal Medicine Regulation. It also introduces penalties for producing or selling unregistered or unsafe herbal remedies.
The bill provides a 12-month transition period for practitioners to register and align with the new standards.
Onuakalusi noted that regulating the sector would strengthen public health safeguards, promote scientific validation of indigenous medicines, and enable Nigeria to tap into the growing global herbal medicine market. “This amendment integrates traditional practitioners into a regulated framework, ensuring safety while driving local innovation and economic growth,” he added.
The bill received unanimous support and was referred to the relevant House committee for further legislative action.
Nigeria’s herbal medicine industry, built on centuries of indigenous knowledge, remains a vital but largely unregulated sector. For millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural and low-income communities, herbal remedies remain the most accessible form of healthcare.
Experts have long warned that the absence of regulation has led to widespread adulteration, contamination, and false health claims. Policymakers say the proposed reform could mark a turning point in ensuring safety, accountability, and scientific advancement within the country’s traditional medicine sector.
