Reps Move to Empower NAFDAC to Regulate Herbal Medicines Nationwide

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act to empower the agency to regulate the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines across Nigeria.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill during plenary, Hon. Jesse Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, described herbal medicine as a vital component of Nigeria’s healthcare system, relied upon daily by millions of citizens who prefer traditional remedies for common ailments.

He noted that herbal medicine has great potential to complement modern healthcare delivery if properly standardised, adding that its growing popularity demands stricter oversight to protect public health.

Onuakalusi, however, expressed concern that most herbal products currently in circulation are produced under unhygienic conditions, with no dosage control, clinical testing, or safety certification, exposing users to serious health risks, including poisoning, infections, and organ damage.

He emphasised that the amendment would give NAFDAC the legal authority to set quality benchmarks and enforce safety standards for all herbal products sold within the country.

“The goal is not to stifle local producers,” he said. “Rather, it is to protect Nigerians and ensure that herbal medicine is safe, effective, and produced under the right conditions. Regulation will also promote Nigeria’s traditional medicine sector internationally.”

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the proposed amendment, noting that regulating herbal medicine will not only reduce quackery but also encourage investment in the country’s traditional healthcare sector.

The bill was unanimously passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Services for further legislative action.