The shared belief that Nigeria should prioritize its local resources to solve health challenges, by leveraging traditional medicine for health, wellbeing, and wealth creation, set the tone for a robust discussion on collaboration between Prof Martins Emeje, Director General of Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), and Dr. Cletus Shukuk, Plateau State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, an orthodox Doctor. The areas of collaboration identified included, Digital documentation of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine practitioners in Plateau State, Medicinal farm development and Product development and launch.

Prof Emeje highlighted the World Health Organization’s renewed focus on traditional medicine accessibility, availability, and safe use, leading to the establishment of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM), which he co-chairs.

The NNMDA DG briefed the Commissioner on the agency’s interest in Plateau State for MAPPs cultivation. The initial land allocation in Barkin Ladi was stalled due to local community resistance. The Commissioner attributed this to improper communication and promised to resolve the issue, offering an alternative allocation in Pankshin, which has a suitable climate for MAPPs of interest.

The Commissioner invited NNMDA to participate in the Plateau State Festival of Science and Technology scheduled to hold in March.