Health
LASG seeks increased research to unlock traditional medicine potential
By Ayoola Babalola
The Lagos State Government has called for increased research, innovation and regulation of traditional medicine, saying indigenous healthcare practices must undergo stronger scientific scrutiny to play a greater role in expanding access to healthcare.
The call was made on Tuesday at the 2026 African Traditional Medicine Day organised by the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board at the NUT Pavilion, Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, said traditional medicine had remained relevant to healthcare delivery in African communities because of its accessibility, affordability and cultural acceptance.
Lajide, who delivered the keynote address, said the sector’s continued relevance should be matched by deliberate investment in research and development to establish the safety, quality and efficacy of traditional medicines and practices.
The theme of the celebration, “Reflection on Research and Development Efforts of Traditional Medicine Towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage in the African Region,” focused on how indigenous medical knowledge could move beyond cultural heritage to become part of a more credible and accessible healthcare system.
Lajide said traditional medicine had served African communities for generations but could contribute more meaningfully to Universal Health Coverage if practitioners, researchers, regulators, government institutions and other stakeholders worked together to develop the sector.
He stressed the need to ensure that traditional medicines and practices met acceptable standards, noting that research and innovation were essential to establishing their therapeutic value and improving public confidence.
The Registrar of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Babatunde Adele, said the commemoration should prompt a more serious examination of what was required to advance the sector.
Adele said the celebration was “not merely an occasion to celebrate Africa’s rich traditional medicine heritage”, but an opportunity to consider how research, innovation, evidence-based practice and effective regulation could strengthen the sector.
He argued that Africa’s indigenous medical knowledge needed to be properly documented and scientifically investigated rather than left primarily within informal systems of transmission.
According to him, such efforts would help establish the safety, quality and efficacy of traditional medicines while improving public confidence in practitioners and their products.
Adele said the board would continue to exercise its regulatory responsibilities while promoting the professional development of practitioners and encouraging responsible practice.
He also identified collaboration as essential to the sector’s advancement, calling for closer engagement among government agencies, traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, healthcare professionals, universities, regulatory bodies, industry and development partners.
The registrar said the objective should be to convert Africa’s substantial traditional medical knowledge into “safe, credible, evidence-informed and accessible healthcare solutions” capable of complementing conventional healthcare and contributing to Universal Health Coverage.
The emphasis on research and regulation comes amid continued reliance on traditional medicine across African communities, where accessibility and affordability have helped sustain its place in healthcare despite concerns over inconsistent standards and limited scientific validation of some practices.
Lajide said greater investment in research and development could help bridge the gap and enable traditional medicine to occupy a more defined place within broader health systems.
He said the government remained committed to ensuring that the sector was developed responsibly, with innovation and regulation working alongside its cultural and community relevance.
The event brought together government officials, traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, professional associations, regulatory bodies, academic institutions and development partners to examine the prospects of traditional medicine in Lagos, Nigeria and the wider African region.
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