A major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against malaria has emerged from the academic community as Prof. Hadiza Nuhu, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, successfully developed Herb 25, a NAFDAC-registered herbal anti-malaria medicine after 12 years of intensive research.
The innovative drug is described as an enhanced ethnomedical formulation derived from medicinal herbs traditionally used across Nigeria in the treatment of malaria. Developed through rigorous scientific research, Herb 25 offers a locally driven solution to one of the country’s most persistent public health challenges.
According to university officials, the herbal medicine is specifically formulated to combat chloroquine-resistant malaria, a growing concern in malaria treatment. The product is conveniently packaged in tea bags, allowing users to prepare the medication with hot water, making it both accessible and easy to administer.
The university noted that Herb 25 is the first anti-malaria herbal drug of its kind to be developed and produced by a Nigerian university, marking a significant milestone in indigenous pharmaceutical research and innovation.
Prof. Nuhu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, holds a Ph.D. from Ahmadu Bello University. She is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Pharmacognosy and serves as Research Director of the Association of Commonwealth Traditional Medicine Practitioners, West Africa.
The achievement underscores the growing potential of homegrown scientific research to provide affordable, evidence-based healthcare solutions while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for pharmaceutical innovation.