Professor Bassey Antia of the University of Uyo’s Department of Chemistry has urged the government and its agencies to fund research on medicinal plants in Nigeria.
He believes this support would enable the production of standardized and verified plant-based medicines to treat various ailments affecting the population.
Antia made this recommendation during his 105th inaugural lecture, titled “Natural Products Chemistry: Where the Mysteries of the Natural World Manifest in Atoms Molecules and Ions,” on September 27, 2024 .
He said, “Since Medicinal from plants show enormous potential to improve the health and well-being of consumers; government or her agencies should support research into our medicinal plants as this might lead to the production of standardized and verified plant medicinal.
“This will assist to increase the armamentarium of therapeutic agents available in our environment for the alleviation and possible cure of various ailments”
Professor Bassey Antia further emphasized the need for state-of-the-art facilities in research institutions and universities, along with trained scientists to utilize them effectively.
This investment, he argued, would empower researchers to uncover the functional properties of the numerous natural products present in the environment.
“It is obvious from the research findings that excellent facilities must be provided in our research Institutions and universities and competent scientists trained internationally to handle these facilities. That will enable us to find functions for the various natural products in our natural environment” Antia noted.
