The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) and Covenant University (CU) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the strategic development of Natural Medicine in the country.
The Director-General, NNMDA, Prof Martins Emeje, said during his presentation at the signing of the MoU in Lagos that the strategic partnership would immerse opportunities in the country.
Emeje said that Natural Medicine had the potential of creating jobs, increasing the country’s revenue as well as making NNMDA, the best research institute in West Africa.
He said that the partnership would involve Covenant University bringing in its human capacity while the NNMDA would bring in research and development.
According to him, if you want to have functional partnership or collaboration, you must be intentional about it.
“This partnership is going to get us to that level where research institutes will be rated more than investors as it’s done in other climes.
“When we talk about human capital development, Covenant University is very good in it so they will be doing that for us.
“When it comes to research and development, we are very good at that, so we are complementary, they bring what they know best, we bring what we know best, and both of us will be winners.
“And our country is ultimately the best winner, while our people are, ultimately, the best beneficiary,’’ he said.
Emeje highlighted the successes of NNMDA and its impact on income generation and job creation.
According to him, earlier in the year, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, had helped launch four of its new products, which included the first oral dosage formulations from the agency.
Emeje said the agency had, in line with its promise, produced 11 more products which will become available by October.
