As part of efforts to improve the capacity of herbal medicine practitioners in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has proposed a training programme for native doctors in China.

This was announced by Buhari’s Minister of State, Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi on Thursday in Abuja at a Seminar and Lecture on ‘Developing Nigerian-Chinese Traditional Medicine’, organised by the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) in collaboration with the Chinese Cultural Centre.

“The ministry is ready to collaborate with the Chinese government to improve herbal medicine in Nigeria. And subsequently, send traditional medicine practitioners to China for adequate training, and we will continue to collaborate,” the Minister said.

According to the Minister, the goal of President Buhari is to eradicate poverty, and herbal medicine has been revealed to yield about $50 billion by 2030.

While stressing that it was important that youths are sensitised on the knowledge of herbal medicine from natural products to treat diseases, he noted that the training would “facilitate scientific evaluation, clinical trials and registration of herbal medicines found effective for the management of a disease”

“The ministry, through its agencies, is ready to support the youths who have innovative ideas in herbal medicines as we have been partnering with appropriate institutions and some traditional medicine practitioners across Nigeria,” he added.

Chinese’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, expressed China’s readiness to support Nigeria in developing its herbal sector to boost its economy.

Mr Jianchun noted that Nigeria has a huge potential which, when properly harnessed, with the support of the Chinese government, will boost the country’s economy and promote good health and longevity of citizens.

“I am thinking, how can we work together with Nigeria to solve this problem? I have discussed with the youth congress, and we believe how can we give the youths the opportunity to take the lead, to develop this country, so we think this project in medicine is a good project.

“I fully promised the president. I do believe Nigeria we have our advantage; how can we catalyse, take advantage and bring young people in this to take the lead and build a joint project and to make it successful and make it expand,” the Envoy stated.