Garba Maidoki, senator representing Kebbi South, has called for the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework.
He argued that indigenous healing practices remain relevant, particularly in rural communities.
The senator spoke on Tuesday during debate on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the Food and Drugs Act, replacing them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines and other products that affect public health.
‘Most Rural Dwellers Rely on Traditional Medicine’
Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara North, Maidoki said the legislation should also recognise traditional medicine.
“I rise to also support this motion ably sponsored by Senator Suleiman Sadiq. This motion, as my colleague said, is apt, is timely, and is in good faith to modernise the practice of food and drug registration in Nigeria,” he said.
“But Mr. President, I want to bring to your attention that even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything in this bill concerning traditional medicine.
“Most of our rural dwellers rely on traditional medicine.
“I think it is high time we had a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.
“If this is done holistically, we will also reduce the cost of importing drugs from foreign countries and rely more on our indigenous herbs and medications provided by our native doctors.”
Maidoki said incorporating traditional medicine into the legal framework would reduce dependence on imported medicines.
He added that the bill’s sponsor, a pharmacist, should work towards integrating traditional medicine practitioners into the country’s 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.
The lawmaker said some ailments are better treated with herbal remedies than orthodox medicine.
“Even some of us who are senators sometimes rely on herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or another, which modern medicine sometimes has no answer for. Like if your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf,” he added.
Maidoki’s remarks elicited laughter in the Senate chamber.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded light-heartedly. “Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor,” he said.
“It’s actually baffling that this was part of the African religion, but when the white people came, they told us we don’t need our ancestors. But I think, from what you are saying, you are still using your ancestors.”
The bill later passed second reading after receiving the support of lawmakers.
If enacted, the legislation will repeal two existing food and drug laws and establish a unified regulatory framework covering food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products that affect public health.
