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FULL LIST: FG Releases Seven Herbal Medicines for Cancers, Hypertension, Others
In a major push to advance local pharmaceutical innovation, the Federal Government has unveiled seven herbal medicines developed by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency for the treatment and management of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and hepatitis B.
According to the NNMDA, more than 22 herbal products have been developed from indigenous medicinal plants since 2023 to address Nigerians’ health needs locally.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, unveiled the herbal products during an official visit to the agency in Lagos on Tuesday.
He also met with captains of industry in the pharmaceutical sector to discuss the commercialisation of the products.
Udeh said Nigeria is richly endowed with thousands of medicinal plants which, if effectively harnessed, could provide solutions to the diverse health conditions affecting Nigerians.
The minister noted that traditional medicine had, for centuries, met the healthcare needs of indigenous communities, while disclosing the Federal Government’s readiness to address the major challenges confronting the agency to enable it to do more.
Udeh also promised to facilitate the establishment of a Clinical Observational Research Centre, as requested by the agency’s leadership, in addition to addressing the challenge of inadequate funding.
The minister commended the leadership and staff of the agency for their research and development of natural medicines for tropical diseases and other health conditions, including malaria, sickle cell disease, erectile dysfunction and diabetes.
“The resolution after the meeting with captains of industry in the pharmaceutical sector is that Nigeria has the potential to produce and export natural medicines worth billions of dollars.
“Billions of naira can also be generated by the agency through the production of natural medicines while meeting the healthcare needs of Nigerians.
“We are going to move immediately and innovatively after this unveiling to establish the Clinical Observational Research Centre without waiting for funding from the 2027 budget.
“We are going to identify alternative ways of generating funds to build the centre,” Udeh said.
Earlier, while presenting the agency’s activities, ongoing research and medicinal plants cultivated across the country, some of which were used to develop the seven herbal products unveiled by the minister, the Director-General of NNMDA, Prof Martins Emeje, said the efficacy of herbal medicine was no longer in doubt, stressing that standardisation now ensured proper dosage.
Emeje, who is the Co-Chair of the World Health Organisation’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, expressed excitement over the unveiling of the products, noting that traditional medicines are now being produced in standard dosage forms such as capsules, tablets and syrups.
“We want to change the narrative of drug importation in Nigeria. We must develop our medicines and export them.
“One of the products launched here today, when fully developed across the value chain, has the capacity to generate 3.5 million jobs.
“There was also a business meeting with captains of industry in the pharmaceutical sector,” the professor of Pharmacy said.
Emeje, a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy, said the agency had made significant progress in developing herbal medicines from indigenous medicinal plants to address the country’s healthcare needs.
He urged the Federal Government to deepen research through clinical trials by establishing a Clinical Observational Research Centre at the agency’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Providing insight into the seven herbal products unveiled by the government, the NNMDA boss said, “First, we have a product for the Hepatitis B virus. It is a natural medicine developed from an indigenous medicinal plant. The product is highly active against the Hepatitis B virus and is called Namdavir.
“The second product launched today is for the management of peptic ulcer disease. It is called Namdacid. Ulcer is a major health challenge in our communities.”
Emeje said the third product is used in the management and prevention of cancers such as colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancers.
According to him, it is produced from Nigerian medicinal plants and has shown the potential to prevent these cancers.
“We have scientific evidence that it can stop the progression of cancers or eliminate early cancer cells. It is called Turmegol.
“We also developed a natural medicine for high cholesterol. It cleanses the system and is effective in the management of hypertension. We have investigated its efficacy. It is called Namdorol.
“We also unveiled Namgor, an aphrodisiac, and Zobo Tea for the management of hypertension,” the researcher said.
The Consul General of India in Lagos, Shri Kannan, said there were enormous opportunities for India and Nigeria to collaborate in the field of traditional medicine.
“Our institutions can collaborate in medicinal plant research, scientific validation of traditional medicines, standardisation and quality assurance, biodiversity conservation, capacity building, academic exchanges, entrepreneurship, and innovation in natural products.
“India and Nigeria are two ancient civilisations blessed with rich biodiversity, deep cultural heritage and centuries-old healing traditions,” Kannan said.
He added that both countries possess invaluable indigenous knowledge systems that have served their societies for generations and continue to provide important solutions for modern healthcare.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
