By Chioma Obinna

As the members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday endorsed natural medicine revolution of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, the Agency has asserted that with an investment of 15,000 dedicated staff, Nigeria could pivot from its reliance on oil revenue to become a net exporter of medicinal plants and natural medical products within a mere 12 months.

Declaring the ambitious vision in Lagos during the visit of members of Legislative Compliance Committee, House of Representatives, the Director General of the agency, Prof Martins Emeje said the agency’s plan would not only diversify the nation’s economy but also to tap into the burgeoning global market for natural remedies, potentially signaling a significant shift away from its dependence on the volatile oil sector.

Emeje, who recalled that the House of Representatives unanimously endorsed a resolution placing natural medicine at the heart of the nation’s healthcare strategy, described the decision as “the beginning of Nigeria’s liberation from colonial dependency on foreign pharmaceuticals.”

Speaking during the visit of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, Emeje said: “I told you from the beginning, I don’t need any book to read. I am the roadmap for research in this country.”

The visit, led by Hon. Yusuf Ahmed Badau, marks the first-ever oversight of the agency since its formal legal recognition in 2019, despite its establishment in 1997.

Emeje, who noted that the visit was symbolic and strategic, said: “The presence of the committee here shows that the resolution is not just paper—it’s action. This day is monumental. It is the day Nigeria begins to regain her healing power.”

Emeje said the agency needs 15,000 staff—20 per local government across Nigeria to identify, document, cultivate, and standardise indigenous medical knowledge and plants.

“Give me 15,000 staff, and in 12 months, Nigeria will become a net exporter of medicinal plants and natural medical products. We will stop looking for oil money,” he declared.

However, Prof. Emeje was clear: passion alone is not enough. “We are operating with only 136 staff. It is not sustainable. Passion has a limit. We need financial and human support to scale.”

He explained that NNMDA has so far documented over 1,750 medicinal plants across all Nigerian geo-political zones, with ongoing collaborations with international partners, including India and the Netherlands.

He said the agency is now preparing for clinical trials on herbal products already approved by NAFDAC, aiming for hospital integration and five-year registrations for indigenous products.

Emeje drew parallels with India and China, whose traditional medicines form multi-billion-dollar industries. “Nigeria can do the same and better if we believe in ourselves. These countries used their brains; we must use ours.”

He also emphasised the broader scope of natural medicine, from herbal remedies to religious practices and yoga, all of which contribute to well-being and must be researched, documented, and integrated.

Emeje warned that unless Nigeria invests in its research institutions, “We are jackpotted in reverse—working here but doing research for foreign funders. That’s more dangerous than physical migration.”

Lamenting meagre N300 million budgets, that have attracted international attention, Emeje insisted that government support is key: “Let’s stop depending on handouts. Let’s invest in what we own.”

The agency has also launched training programmes for traditional medical practitioners and serves as an accredited pharmacy internship centre. “Our interns don’t just learn science—they learn ethics and patriotism,” he said, before presenting the award for Best Intern of the Year to a young female graduate. “We don’t need to copy and paste healthcare models. Let our universal health coverage be built around our own medicine, our own identity. Support us, and watch Nigeria rise.”

Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, led by Hon. Ahmed Badau, expressed strong support for the agency’s work: “What we saw is encouraging. It will reduce dependence on foreign medicine and create jobs for our people. We are pledging our support for this vision.”

“I am highly impressed and delighted with what I saw in this building, and I promised to help this great institution. However, my hope is for you to have an office and hospital in every ward and local government area of Nigeria to provide opportunities for our youths, and affordable treatment for all Nigerians at a cheaper rate.”