ICPC calls for regulation of herbal drinks amid rising health risks

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA) to tackle the growing threat posed by unregulated herbal drinks flooding the Nigerian market.

Speaking during a one-day training webinar on Thursday, themed “Building a Transparent and Accountable Public Institution and Inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the NNMDA,” ICPC Lagos State Resident Commissioner, Mr. Kabir Elelu, highlighted the alarming health dangers associated with the proliferation of herbal concoctions, commonly known as “Ala Agbo.”

Elelu expressed grave concern about the unchecked sale of these herbal mixtures, often peddled by hawkers, which have become a common sight across the country. “These concoctions are killing our people,” he warned. “Now, we have a high rate of liver cirrhosis and other diseases that can be directly linked to the intake of these unregulated herbal mixtures. It’s a huge problem across the country, and we need urgent action to address it.”

His message struck a nerve, reflecting a growing public health crisis in Nigeria, where unregulated herbal drinks have become both a cultural staple and a source of peril. Elelu called on the NNMDA to step up and find solutions to harness natural medicines responsibly while safeguarding public health.

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Beyond the health concerns, Elelu used the platform to emphasize the ICPC’s broader mandate under Section 6 of its Act, which includes investigating and preventing corruption and educating the public on its dangers. He lamented how corruption has infiltrated every sector of Nigerian society, exacerbating insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and challenges in the oil and gas industry.

“As public servants, we must lead the fight against corruption, starting from our own spaces,” Elelu said, underscoring the importance of ethics, integrity, and accountability in governance.

He commended the NNMDA for its exceptional performance on the ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, where the agency has consistently scored above 70%. Still, he urged them to do more in promoting transparency and accountability.

The Director-General of the NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, echoed Elelu’s sentiments, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to transparency and its mission to transform Nigeria’s natural medicine landscape. The inauguration of ACTU members, he said, marked a critical step toward achieving these goals.

“With transparency, we are driving the principle of Renewal of Hope to develop natural medicines,” Emeje stated. “Most of our medicines are imported, and that is the narrative we are determined to change. In just a year and a half, we’ve proven that Nigeria can do it—and do it transparently without resorting to corruption.”

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