TRADITIONAL COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA ESTABLISHMENT BILL
Bill · Health
Policy date: 1992-01-01
A Bill that establishes a council to regulate traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine in Nigeria. It targets practitioners for registration and standardization to ensure quality control. This integrates these practices into the national healthcare system.
What Is This Policy?
A bill to establish a dedicated regulatory council for traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) practice in Nigeria, creating a formal framework for practitioner registration, standardization, and quality control.
Who Does It Target?
Traditional medicine practitioners, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners (homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic), patients, healthcare institutions, and the general public.
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Institutionalize the regulation of TCAM practice, establish professional standards, protect intellectual property rights of local practitioners, and integrate traditional medicine into Nigeria's mainstream healthcare delivery system.
Key Features
Regulatory Council: Establishes a dedicated body to oversee TCAM practice separate from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Standardization: Sets criteria for knowledge, skills, training, and professional conduct for TCAM practitioners IP Protection: Protects intellectual property rights of traditional medicine practitioners and indigenous knowledge Healthcare Integration: Aligns with Federal Government efforts to integrate TCAM into primary healthcare for Universal Health Coverage
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Under legislative consideration; multiple versions introduced across National Assembly sessions Coverage: Nationwide; all TCAM practitioners and institutions Background: Over 5,000 estimated TCAM practitioners in Nigeria; fewer than 40 registered with MDCN since 1992 Related Institutions: Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA)
How to Access
The bill is still in the legislative process. Practitioners can currently register with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria under existing provisions. Updates on the bill can be tracked through the National Assembly.
Important Terms
TCAM covers homeopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy, and chiropractic practice The bill has been introduced multiple times across different National Assembly sessions without passage NAFDAC currently mandates herbal product registration and labeling but does not regulate practitioners
Impact & Metrics
If passed, the bill could reshape Nigeria's healthcare landscape by providing a structured regulatory approach to traditional medicine, formally recognizing thousands of practitioners, and contributing to Universal Health Coverage goals.
Official Resources
Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Legal Framework
Introduced under the legislative powers of the National Assembly vested by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Draws on the Traditional Medicine Policy, the National Health Act 2014, and the NAFDAC Act for herbal and alternative medicine products. Aligns with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2019-2025 and the African Union Plan of Action on Natural Medicine. Operates alongside the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act.