The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, UNILAG(IADS, ºìÌÒÊÓƵ), on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, convened a one-day seminar to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026, with stakeholders advocating stronger collaboration between traditional (herbal) medicine practitioners and orthodox (Western) medical professionals to improve malaria diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
The seminar, themed “The Place of Traditional Medicine in the Fight Against Malaria”, was held at the J.P. Clark Building, ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. It aligned with the global theme for this year’s observance of World Malaria Day: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”. The event brought together researchers, and practitioners to explore integrative approaches to tackling malaria, particularly within African contexts.
In his opening remarks, the Director of IADS, Research Professor Ayo Yusuff, described the seminar as part of the Institute’s ongoing advocacy to promote the acceptance and integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare systems. He highlighted recent research milestones recorded by the Institute, including progress in the formulation of herbal remedies for diabetes.
Professor Yusuff also raised concerns about persistent skepticism toward herbal medicine and called for a review of existing curricula to institutionalize collaboration between traditional and orthodox medical practices in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Setting the tone for the panel session, the highlight of the event, Principal Investigator and Researcher at IADS, Dr. Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko, decried the devastating impact of malaria, particularly in Africa. He, however, acknowledged significant progress made in research, case management, and the reduction of malaria-related mortality over the years.
The panel session featured distinguished resource persons, including Alhaja Taiwo Egberongbe (a traditional herbal medicine practitioner); Professor Wellington Oyibo (Professor of Medical Parasitology), represented by Dr. Godswill Iboma of the ANDI Centre for Malaria Research and Excellence; and Alhaja Aisha Adams (Deputy Director, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board). The speakers provided diverse perspectives on malaria diagnosis, prevention strategies, regulation of Herbal medicine practice, and the implications of climate change for malaria research and control.
Alhaja Taiwo Egberongbe and Dr. Godswill Iboma identified practical areas for collaboration between traditional and orthodox practitioners, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, standardization, and knowledge exchange. In her contribution, Alhaja Adams Aisha outlined ongoing efforts to curb quackery, promote professional standards, and ensure safety in traditional medicine practice.
Participants engaged actively in discussions, raising critical questions and observations. Among them, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Olumuyiwa Falaiye, expressed concern over the high cost of malaria medications. He also cautioned against the overgeneralization of malaria diagnosis and underscored the need for improved diagnostic precision.
Professor Falaiye further stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between practitioners of both medical systems to enhance healthcare delivery.
A notable feature of the event was a live demonstration of the preparation of herbal remedies for malaria. The demonstration aimed to promote greater understanding of traditional medicine practices and to address public reservations regarding their safety and efficacy.
The seminar concluded with a renewed call for interdisciplinary collaboration, policy support, and sustained research efforts to harness the strengths of both traditional and orthodox medicine in the ongoing fight against malaria.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Ayo Oloyede
