NNMDA to regulate religious houses engaging in ‘miracle’ healings
The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency has set its sights on regulating various religious and traditional practices that promote natural healing methods.
The Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Martins Emeje said the agency was committed to ensuring that all traditional medical practitioners, including churches, mosques, and traditionalists, adhere to standard practices and protocols in their healing activities.
Speaking at the end-of-year media parley organised by the agency on Monday, the DG noted that it is NNMDA’s core responsibility to oversee and standardise the practice of traditional medicine in Nigeria, including not only herbal and natural remedies but also faith-based healing practices commonly used in churches, mosques, and other traditional settings.
The don explained that with the growing reliance on faith-based healing methods by many Nigerians, it was essential for the agency to ensure that all such practices meet established standards of safety, efficacy, and ethical conduct.
According to him, the NNMDA’s mandate, established by law, is clear in its responsibility for the research, development, and regulation of natural medicine in Nigeria. This encompasses not just herbal treatments, but also other forms of traditional remedies, including the use of animal parts, water therapies, and faith-based healing practices.
He argued that this standardisation would help to address “the chaotic and fragmented state of natural medicine in the country, especially with the rise of religious leaders and traditional healers offering remedies that sometimes conflict with established medical practices.”
He added, “Yes, there are people who refuse to take drugs when they are sick and instead turn to their religious practices for healing. Some people, for instance, may go to church to be healed, while others, particularly Muslims, use a wooden artefact, which they write on in a particular direction, wash it, and drink the water to get well. This falls under our purview as well. We are gradually coming to address these issues.
“So, all the pastors, imams, atheists, and anyone from any religious background who claims that what they are doing will improve people’s health, we are coming for you. We must sit down and establish how we will regulate this. There must be standardisation on how healing is practised in churches, mosques, and traditional healers. These practices are part of the broader framework we are developing.
“If you wish to heal yourself, that’s your choice, and we respect that. However, if you are using your religion to heal others, we need to sit down and agree on standards. These standards will not be your standards, we will agree on them together. Once we agree on the standards, if you deviate from them, you will face the consequences. And you will know that it is because you went against what we mutually agreed upon. We will not allow the importation of foreign religious standards be it from India, America, or Portugal to dictate how we practice our own indigenous medicine. We are not Portuguese, we are Nigerians, and we need a system that works for us.
“Let me be clear; the only government agency responsible for the research and development of natural medicine in Nigeria is NNMDA. This responsibility extends to practices found in churches and mosques.”
The DG noted that in Nigeria, a large percentage of the population relies on traditional and religious forms of healing.
He referenced a survey conducted by the agency, which found that 93 per cent of Nigerians, including civil servants in the federal sector, engage with traditional medicine in one form or another.
This figure, Emeje argued, is far higher than the commonly cited 80 per cent by the World Health Organisation based on outdated research from 1978.
He pointed out that this widespread use of traditional medicine underscores the need for regulation to ensure safety and efficacy.
The professor of pharmacy explained that one of the primary goals of the NNMDA is to create a universally accepted standard for natural and traditional medicine.
He stressed that the agency’s regulatory role is not intended to stifle the practice of traditional medicine but rather to promote its safe and effective use.
While acknowledging the deep respect for traditional healers, he called for a more scientific and rigorous approach to the development of natural medicine.
He stated that this could involve the establishment of guidelines for religious and traditional healers to follow, ensuring that their methods are scientifically validated and safe.
“So, what the National Board for Technical Education did was to receive approval from the Federal Executive Council to ensure national skills acquisition across various areas of middle manpower development, one of which is traditional medicine. By the mandate of the Nigerian Natural Medicine and Medical Development Agency, we are the only legally recognised institution responsible for overseeing this. In fact, the letter they sent to us explicitly acknowledged that, by our mandate, this responsibility falls on us. Therefore, everything related to traditional medicine is our mandate, including research and development in all its forms.
“Our training encompasses a wide range of areas, including the use of water, herbs, and animal parts. While herbs are commonly used in traditional medicine, some practitioners may not use them; instead, they may rely on animal parts for healing,” he stated.
The DG also highlighted the importance of collaboration between traditional medical practitioners and conventional healthcare providers.
He noted that both systems have their strengths and weaknesses and that a collaborative approach would lead to better healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.
Emeje further stressed the importance of research and development in traditional medicine.
He added that the agency is committed to promoting research into traditional medicine and to developing new products and services that are safe and effective.
The DG revealed that the agency had already begun conducting research into various traditional medicine practices and products.
The pharmacist spoke of a pilot production plant that will serve as a testing ground to scale up traditional remedies for industrial production.
The goal, he said, is to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale research and large-scale manufacturing, and ensure that traditional medicines meet international standards.
While discussing this ambitious plan, Emeje highlighted the challenges posed by powerful interest groups, including those who oppose the development of indigenous medicine in Nigeria.
The don noted that some individuals, both in Nigeria and internationally, view the promotion of indigenous medicine as a threat to their economic interests.
“There are those who will fight against it, not because they believe it is harmful, but because they are afraid of losing money,” he stated.
He, however, affirmed his commitment to pushing forward with the development of natural medicine, stating that the NNMDA would not shy away from these challenges.
