The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that medicinal and aromatic plant-based products in Nigeria meet strict standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.
The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known at the #BeWildForNature Youth Network event organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to commemorate the 2026 World Wildlife Day in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Director of the International Strategic Partnership and Trade Office, Chizoba Maduagwuna, the NAFDAC boss stated that the agency remains focused on regulating a wide range of products, including herbal medicines, to ensure they comply with established safety benchmarks.
She highlighted the enduring relevance of medicinal plants, describing them as integral to healthcare, cultural identity, and wellness, while noting their growing importance in addressing modern health challenges.
Adeyeye explained that with the increasing global demand for herbal and natural wellness products, medicinal plants have become valuable national assets capable of driving local industry growth and strengthening Nigeria’s bio-economy.
She emphasised that NAFDAC subjects all plant-based products—whether raw or processed, including phytomedicines, essential oils, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics—to rigorous evaluation processes to guarantee their safety and effectiveness.
The Director-General also underscored the economic potential of the sector, noting that the cultivation and processing of medicinal plants could create sustainable livelihoods, particularly in rural areas, while empowering women and youths and boosting local economies.
According to her, key focus areas for the agency include promoting responsible cultivation, protecting biodiversity, ensuring standardisation across the herbal value chain, and advancing research and innovation through collaboration with academic institutions and industry stakeholders.
She pointed to initiatives such as the Nigerian Herbal Medicinal Products Committee, the Nigerian Essential Medicinal Plant List, and the Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia as important frameworks guiding the regulation and development of safe herbal products in the country.
Adeyeye also stressed the need for increased public awareness on the proper use of herbal medicines, alongside stronger regulatory support to ensure ethical and evidence-based commercialisation of plant-based products.
She warned that Nigeria’s biodiversity remains a critical national resource that must be protected through sustainable practices and robust regulatory systems to preserve both public health and cultural heritage.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, she stated that NAFDAC would continue to regulate, promote research, and support the safe use of plant-based products across food, medicine, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
“Our goal is to transform biodiversity into safe, regulated products and economic resources while safeguarding public health,” she said.
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