Nigeria Creates Digital Database for Traditional Healers

For the first time in Nigeria's history, traditional healers are getting the recognition and organization they've long deserved.

The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency launched a groundbreaking digital database eight months ago to register every traditional medicine practitioner in the country. With an estimated 160 million Nigerians relying on traditional medicine for healthcare, especially in rural areas without hospitals, this system could transform how the nation approaches wellness.

Professor Martins Emeje, the agency's director-general, explained the vision behind the project. Just like pharmacists have license numbers that verify their credentials online, traditional healers will now receive identification numbers linked to their clinics, practices, and products.

The agency isn't just collecting names. Teams physically visit each practitioner's location to verify their services and document the remedies they offer, creating accountability in a sector that's operated informally for generations.

A pilot program in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State has already proven successful. The agency plans to expand the model across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria once funding from the National Assembly comes through.

The Ripple Effect

This database does more than organize information. It brings legitimacy to knowledge that's been passed down through generations, often dismissed by conventional medical systems despite serving the majority of healthcare users globally.

The timing couldn't be better. Emeje was appointed co-chair of the World Health Organization's advisory group on traditional medicine in December 2025, positioning Nigeria to lead global conversations about integrating traditional practices into modern healthcare.

China and India have already shown how this works. Both countries built thriving healthcare systems by formally recognizing, educating, and regulating traditional medicine practitioners alongside conventional doctors.

Nigeria is following that path by establishing the NNMDA School of Traditional Medicine, which is working toward full accreditation. The goal isn't to replace indigenous knowledge with textbooks but to preserve and strengthen it through structured training and research.

The challenges are real. Despite traditional medicine being the most used form of healthcare worldwide, it receives less than one percent of global research funding. Emeje called this "a shame" and pointed out the disconnect between usage and investment.

But the database is the crucial first step. As Emeje put it, "Documentation is the first and most important element of standardization." By knowing exactly who practices traditional medicine, where they operate, and what services they provide, Nigeria can advocate for better funding, conduct meaningful research, and prove the safety and efficacy of natural remedies with scientific evidence.

Traditional practitioners aren't losing their expertise in this process. They're gaining visibility, protection, and the chance to contribute to a healthcare system that finally acknowledges their vital role in keeping millions of people healthy.