Garba Maidoki says native doctors help “intercede” with ancestors, as the Senate advances a bill to overhaul drug regulation

Senator Garba Maidoki, representing Kebbi South, has called for the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework.

He argued that indigenous healing practices remain relevant, particularly in rural communities.

The senator spoke on Tuesday during debate on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.)

Act and the Food and Drug Act, replacing them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines and other products affecting public health.

Why Maidoki wants traditional medicine in the bill

Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Senator Sadiq Umar, representing Kwara North, Maidoki said the legislation should also formally recognise traditional medicine.

“I rise to also support this motion ably sponsored by Senator Suleiman Sadiq. This motion, as my colleague said, is apt, is timely, and is in good faith to modernise the practice of food and drug registration in Nigeria,” he said.

“But Mr President, I want to bring to your attention that even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything on this bill concerning traditional medicine.”

He said most rural dwellers rely heavily on traditional medicine.

“And I think it is high time that we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented,” he said.

“Holistically, if this is done, we will also reduce the cost of importation of drugs from foreign nations, and we will rely mostly on our own indigenous herbs and medication by our own native doctors.”

Maidoki said incorporating traditional medicine into the legal framework would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.

He added that Sadiq, a pharmacist by profession, should work towards integrating traditional practitioners into the country’s healthcare system.

“I think if this is done, the pharmacist Senator Suleiman will be able to incorporate these people and make this holistic,” he said.

Maidoki’s ancestors remark draws laughter in the chamber

The lawmaker said some ailments respond better to herbal remedies than orthodox medicine.

“Even some of us that are senators, sometimes we rely, we go to herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or the other, which sometimes the modern medicine has no answer,” he said.

“Like if your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf.”

His remarks drew laughter across the chamber.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded in a light-hearted manner.

“Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor,” he said.

“It’s actually baffling that this was part of the African religion, but when the white people came, they now told us that we don’t need our ancestors, but I think from what you are saying, you are still using your ancestors.”

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also commended Sadiq for drawing on his professional background as a pharmacist to sponsor the bill.

“It is not everyone who brings his professional expertise into legislative work with such commitment. Senator Sadiq deserves commendation for using his background as a pharmacist to promote the national interest,” Barau said.

Following broad support from lawmakers, Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, and it was overwhelmingly approved for second reading.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative scrutiny, with a mandate to report back within four weeks.

If enacted, the legislation will repeal two existing food and drug laws and establish a unified regulatory framework covering food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products affecting public health.