Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to promote scientific validation of herbal medicines through clinical trials.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the initiative will ensure that locally produced herbal remedies meet global safety and efficacy standards.
“If you cannot scientifically prove your product’s safety and effectiveness, it cannot be fully registered,” she said.
Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC operates two approval categories—listing (two years) after safety evaluation, and full registration (five years) granted only after successful clinical trials.
She noted that while herbal medicine is effective, dosage and toxicity levels must be scientifically determined to prevent harm to organs.
“Natural doesn’t always mean safe. That’s why our oversight is essential,” she said.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC and NNMDA are identifying herbal products ready for trials to create a national formulary of clinically proven remedies. She added that the agency is guiding producers on Good Manufacturing Practices to prevent contamination.
“Together with NNMDA, we shall mobilise resources to get some herbal medicines fully registered,” she said.
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Korede Abdullah 
Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 
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