Senator Seeks Legal Backing for Traditional Medicine

“Most of our rural dwellers rely mostly on traditional medicine, and I think it is high time we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.”

A bill seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory system has sparked debate in the Senate after Senator Garba Maidoki called for the formal recognition of traditional medicine practitioners, arguing that indigenous healing remains a key source of healthcare for many Nigerians.

Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South Senatorial District, made the call on Tuesday during deliberations on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the Food, Drug Act, replacing them with a unified framework for regulating food, medicines and other public health-related products.

Supporting the bill sponsored by Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), Maidoki said the proposed legislation should not overlook traditional medicine, which he said continues to play a significant role, especially in rural communities.

“Even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything on this bill concerning traditional medicine,” Maidoki said.

“Most of our rural dwellers rely mostly on traditional medicine, and I think it is high time we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.”

The lawmaker argued that integrating traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported drugs by promoting the use of locally sourced herbs and indigenous remedies.

He urged the bill’s sponsor, who is a pharmacist, to consider creating a framework that would bring traditional practitioners into the regulated healthcare system.

“I think if this is done, the pharmacist Senator Suleiman will be able to incorporate these people and make this holistic,” he said.

Maidoki further claimed that some health conditions could be better addressed through herbal remedies, adding that even some lawmakers sometimes seek alternative treatments when conventional medicine fails.

“Even some of us that are senators, sometimes we rely, we go to herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or the other, which sometimes modern medicine has no answer,” he said.

He added, “If your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf.”

The comment drew laughter from lawmakers, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to respond humorously.

“Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President also reflected on the historical place of traditional beliefs in African societies, noting that indigenous practices existed before the introduction of Western systems.

The bill subsequently scaled second reading after receiving support from senators.

If passed into law, the proposed legislation will repeal existing food and drug regulations and establish a single regulatory framework covering food products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other items with implications for public health.