SON advances standards for African traditional medicine growth

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting African traditional medicine by developing internationally competitive standards.

This was emphasised during the 18th National Technical Mirror Committee meeting on African Traditional Medicine held recently at Lagos State University in Lagos.

In his opening address, SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, represented by the Director of Standards Development, Engr. Yahaya Bukar, lauded the committee’s achievements since its inception in 2015.

He commended the chairperson, Prof. Maurice Iwu, for his leadership, which has positioned Nigeria as a pioneer in formulating and adopting African regional standards for traditional medicine.

Okeke highlighted that Nigeria has developed ten ARS for traditional medicine, with plans to adopt an additional 14 standards, bringing the total to 24.

He noted these standards enhance quality assurance, safety, and compatibility, thus bolstering consumer and business trust globally.

The SON chief emphasised the critical role of these standards in facilitating global market access for Nigerian products, reducing trade barriers, and ensuring compliance with international regulations. He reassured stakeholders of SON’s commitment to promoting and enforcing these standards for local and global acceptance.

Vice Chancellor of LASU, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Prof. Adenike Omotunde, described the meeting as pivotal for fostering collaboration and innovation in traditional medicine. She praised SON’s efforts in setting benchmarks to enhance the safety and efficacy of traditional remedies, which she believes are integral to Nigeria’s healthcare future.

Prof. Maurice Iwu, chairperson of the NTMC, urged participants to accelerate their efforts in developing standards to enable Nigeria to compete with global leaders like India and China in the traditional medicine sector.

He emphasised the economic potential of traditional African medicine and its importance for future generations.

The meeting reinforced SON’s commitment to positioning Nigerian traditional medicine on the global stage by ensuring quality, safety, and compatibility, creating opportunities for economic development and healthcare innovation.