WHO names Nigeria’s Professor Martins Emeje co-chair of a new global advisory group on traditional medicine.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed Nigeria’s Professor Martins Emeje as Co-Chair of its newly established Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM).

Professor Emeje, who serves as Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), was named alongside Dr Susan Wieland, Director at Cochrane Complementary Medicine, following the formal inauguration of the advisory group.

The creation of STAG-TM marks a major milestone in the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy, which seeks to strengthen global health systems through the safe, effective and evidence-based integration of traditional and complementary medicine.

WHO said the appointment reflects its commitment to inclusive, balanced and scientifically rigorous leadership in advancing traditional, complementary and integrative medicine globally. Both co-chairs bring extensive expertise in research, innovation and policy development, particularly in natural products and evidence-based healthcare.

As head of NNMDA, Professor Emeje has been instrumental in promoting the research, regulation, development and commercialisation of natural medicines in Nigeria. His appointment underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global health governance and innovation in traditional medicine.

The 19-member advisory group is expected to provide expert guidance to the WHO on policy frameworks, research priorities and best practices to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine within national healthcare systems.

Announcing the formation of the group, the WHO described it as a decisive step under its Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025, aimed at applying scientific standards to a rapidly expanding sector.

Speaking at the group’s inaugural meeting, held alongside the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit in New Delhi, India, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, Dr Yukiko Nakatani, said the initiative represents a pivotal moment for traditional medicine as a core component of cultural heritage and national health systems.

WHO Chief Scientist, Dr Sylvie Briand, noted that the rapid growth of traditional medicine has not been matched by robust evidence, standards or regulatory frameworks, stressing that the new advisory group would help address these gaps through stronger governance and scientific oversight. (ARISE NEWS)

Update news