By Fortune Eromosele, Abuja

Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Abdullahi, Thursday, disclosed that herbal medicine production will hit $50 billion by 2030.

He made this known on the occasion of the Nigerian-Chinese traditional medicine seminar and lecture, with the theme: “Alternative Medicine from Natural Products for Effective Treatment of Diseases.”

He said that as part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, “it has been estimated that herbal medicine will hit $50 billion by 2030,” he stated.

He added that “It is important that youths are sensitized on the knowledge of herbal medicine from natural products for the treatment of diseases. Youths have a very important role in improving the Nigerian economy effectively.

“The Ministry through its agencies is willing to support youths who have innovative ideas and interest in herbal medicine as we have been partnering with appropriate Institutions and some Traditional Medicine Practitioners across Nigeria to facilitate scientific evaluation, clinical trials and registration of herbal recipes found to be therapeutic for the management of diseases.”

Abdullahi noted that the Ministry is also working to assist, demystify and scientifically validate traditional medicine, which he said would give people the opportunity to make informed choices.

He however assured that the Ministry is willing to collaborate with the Chinese government to improve herbal medicine in Nigeria, adding that it will support youths who have innovative ideas and interest in herbal medicine.

“The fact that 80 percent of our people depend on traditional medicine especially in the rural areas for their health care needs is enough basis for the deserved attention from government and the populace.

“With adequate education and Information the practitioners can play vital roles in the control and management of ailments such as malaria, epilepsies, diabetes. There is also need to research, develop and document the practice in the country.

“FMSTI is willing to collaborate also with the Chinese Government to improve herbal medicine in Nigeria. We have successfully sent Traditional Medicine Practitioners to China for adequate training and we will continue to collaborate,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jianchun, restated his commitment to a fierce collaboration between the government of China and Nigeria to provide herbal products that will help fight some ailments.

He said that the high price of modern drugs makes it impossible for the common man to afford, saying that traditional medicines would lift that burden by making drugs affordable and effective.

His words, “Both Nigeria and China have already built a solid foundation in herbal products research and application, and we are big countries with vast and fertile land and suitable climate for planting herbs. We have every reason and full conditions for win-win cooperation in the planting of herbal products and the development of traditional medicines.”

In his welcome address, President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, expressed optimism that the partnership between Nigeria and China will foster positive outcomes in herbal medicine use and production.