By Aaron Ossai
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Engineering, Hon. Inua Garba (PDP-Gombe) has said that the National Assembly is intensifying efforts to strengthen traditional medicine industry for cheaper alternative through research and global partnerships.
Hon. Garba made this known while addressing newsmen after he was bestowed with Best Legislator of the Year (2025) award by the National Leadership Awards alongside his colleague, Hon. Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi) in Abuja on Friday.
He said that traditional medicine represents a multi-billion-dollar global industry, and Nigeria must take deliberate steps to position itself competitively within that space.
The lawmaker explained that the House Committee on Science and Engineering is working with relevant agencies and professional bodies to amend existing laws regulating traditional and natural medicine in the country.
According to the awardee, promoting indigenous medicine would not only enhance healthcare access but also create jobs, stimulate innovation, and boost Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base.
“We are doing a lot of meetings, research collaboration and partnership with a view to promote traditional medicine in Nigeria, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry.
“You can see what is happening in China and India and other parts of the world. Nigeria should not be left behind.
“We are working tirelessly to amend some of the already existing Acts so that the traditional or natural medicine industry can compete globally and serve as an effective alternative in healthcare delivery,” he added.
He called on researchers, practitioners, and investors to collaborate with government institutions to develop standards, enhance quality control, and expand export potential for locally sourced medicinal products.
Speaking on the award, Garba expressed excitement and gratitude to the organisers for the honour saying it meant so much to him and his constituents.
He said that the award will spur him to do more for his constituency and Nigeria as a whole in and out of political office.
“I feel honoured and highly excited by this gesture given to me by the National Leadership Awards.
“I am assuring you like you always know me, like you always believe in me, with or without portal office, I will continue to do the best thing to make you proud, to make you successful, and to make you
“I thank you very much, and that will not go in vain. I will make sure wherever I am, wherever I go, whatever happen, I will protect your interest. I will promote your interest. I will do my best to the best of my ability, in as much as i am alive,” he said.
Garba admonished youths to believe in Nigeria, be committed and trustworthy, and always doing the best they can as the future belonged to them.
He said that Nigeria is faced with leadership deficiency as there is a problem of credibility in the affairs of leadership and followership.
“I am calling on the young ones coming up to be so committed and believe in this country, in Nigeria, because without good leadership, there will never be any good country.
“So I am calling on the young and all to be credible enough in the affairs of leadership so that they can take the mantle of leadership in all aspect of human endeavour,” he said.
The awardee who was also a player in the oil and gas industry, backed NNPCL’ plan to privatise the nation’s oil refineries.
He explained that competition in any industry is the base for productivity and national development and not monopoly.
“It is good for Nigeria to open up. It’s good for Nigeria to create more enabling environment, having like modular finance address the whole world are taking new steps in doing new things in a different way.
“So I agree Nigeria should be part of the privatization process that is credible and transparent so that more key players will participate and invest in the petroleum industry,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Leadership Awards, Chief Perry Opara said that awards are only given to Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various endeavours.
He said that since the inception of the awards in 2002, 27 state governors, 18 deputy governors, 57 members of the National Assembly have been honoured among others.
Opara said that Garba was being honoured for his outstanding performance as a lawmaker in the green chambers having sponsored many bills in the 10th Assembly.
He said that Abejide was being honoured for the role played in the amendment of the Nigerian Customs Act and for ability to relate with his constituents and maintain it at phenomenal level.
