Lagos Marks 2025 African Traditional Medicine Day, Calls for Synergy Between Tradition and Science

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government on Monday joined the global community to mark the 2025 African Traditional Medicine Day with a call for stronger collaboration between traditional practices and modern science to enhance healthcare delivery.

The event, held at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, had as its theme “Bridging Tradition and Science: The Future of African Traditional Medicine.”

In his welcome address, the Registrar of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Prince Babatunde Adele, noted that traditional medicine has remained the first line of healthcare for millions of Africans for generations, providing remedies that are accessible, affordable, and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.

Citing the World Health Organization’s position that over 80 percent of Africans depend on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare, Adele said Lagos State was committed to regulating, promoting, and strengthening the practice through research, innovation, and global collaboration.

“The future of African Traditional Medicine lies in synergy—preserving its authenticity while advancing through scientific validation. We must see ourselves as partners in this vision,” he said.

The immediate past Chairman of the Board, Professor Adebukola Olusola-Oshitelu, observed that traditional medicine predates colonial history, adding that more Nigerians were now returning to their indigenous practices.

Similarly, Dr. Bolanle Ade-Idowu stressed the need to strengthen evidence-based research on African traditional medicine in order to secure wider global recognition.

The Supervisory Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, represented by Dr. Ope Giwa, urged stakeholders to preserve cultural heritage, while ensuring traditional medicine receives its rightful recognition.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Dr. Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko, a researcher and principal investigator in African traditional medicine, argued that traditional medicine is rooted in science, though not always apparent. He called for policies that would showcase its scientific basis and promote its appropriate use.,

“Lagos has shown leadership in this field. However, we must be intentional in how we promote African traditional medicine if we want it to gain global acceptance,” he stated.

The commemoration provided a platform for practitioners, scientists, and policymakers to deliberate on integrating indigenous knowledge with modern healthcare systems, positioning traditional medicine as both a heritage to protect and a valuable global health resource.