Dr Jegede Obafemi is an Associate Professor at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Oyo State, southwest Nigeria. A seasoned expert in the traditional African medicine spoke extensively about the perception of the western world on African traditional medicine, the inspiration behind the establishment of Oduduwa College of Yoruba Medicine and other pertinent issues in this interview
Can you tell us a bit about your background and expertise in traditional African Medicine?
My name is Dr Jegede Obafemi, an Associate Professor at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. My interest in Traditional African Medicine was inspired by the need to situate Africa in the global space. The world treats Africa as if she does not exist. I therefore ask, what can Africa offer to the world now that everything has been taken away? I just conjecture that it may be in the area of health.
During my masters degree programme at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, I decided to research into areas of health. I started an enterprising ethnographic investigation into health and medicine of the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria. I ventured into this with high degree of skepticism. In fact, I thought I would be killed because my brain had earlier been fed with all sorts of evil performed by traditionalists, the practice of their profession particularly medical profession. Increased curiosity further pushed me to dig deep and that I may quiz the practice more deeply I enrolled for a Doctoral degree in traditional medicine. What I saw was entirely different from the stories that I had. I realised that these people were badly misrepresented and misunderstood. Western science, western education has rubbished the wisdom of our ancestors.
Apart from my healing practice, teaching and research, I have developed expertise in the teaching of practitioners so as to make them more professional.
What inspired you to establish a College for traditional medicine?
I was inspired by the acuteness of unemployment which I have come to see is the reason for the Nigerian predicament. Our educational system as it is does not enable people to go to school to be self employed and even be an employer of labour. I seek the need to interface education and industry in Africa. I seek to de-emphasise rote memorisation and lecture-based learning, that is lacking in hand-on experience and real-world application. In doing this we harp on apprenticeship methodology.
How do you think traditional African medicine can contribute to modern health care?
World Health Organisation, since 1978 has advised nations to consider the integration of traditional medicine with bio-medicine, but Nigeria has been dragging her feet, even passing the bill on traditional medicine is suffering setbacks. Traditional medicine will be able to contribute effectively to modern health care systems when the bill is passed. Traditional medicine will be able to contribute to modern health care system when people are trained. For me one of the inhibiting factors is because most practitioners are not well trained and so they cannot adequately engage modern healthcare practitioners.
What are the main goals and objectives of your online school and how do you plan to achieve them?
The main goal is to empower the people, especially the youth by shifting their mindsets from limitations to possibilities, fostering a proactive, entrepreneurial, and innovative spirit inherent in the knowledge of Yoruba Medicine.
Can you walk us through the curriculum and courses offered by the school?
The curriculum is holistic, covering every area of traditional medicine so as to make sure we achieve our goal. We teach about theory so as to enable student engage people of diverse categories understand traditional medicine and to demystify the practice by subjecting it to simple scientific analysis hinging on the wisdom of our ancestors. We also take student through knowledge of how to produce traditional medicine, in doing this we locate and situate the method and the methodology,. How to situate product within the global space, plant propagation and marketing, the leku-leja phenomenon, human anatomy and physiology, how to formulate and package traditional medicine products etc. There is as well as strong emphasis on ethical issues in traditional African medicine.
How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of the traditional African medicine practice being taught?
Ensuring quality and authenticity is paramount. To achieve this, we employ a multi-faceted approach: We are recruiting expert faculty members who are renowned scholars and practitioners with international reputations
Hand-on training with experienced mentors. 3-months placements for internship with reputable organisations in Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Attendance and practical experience are mandatory for certification.
This rigorous approach ensures our graduated are equipped with authentic, high-quality traditional African medicine practices, setting a new standard for the industry.
What kind of student do you hope to attract, and what kind of support service so you hop to offer them?
The College hope to attract three categories of students: Secondary School Certificate Young boys and girls who will be painstakingly taken through an 18-month physical training after which they will be offered a Professional Diploma in Yoruba Medicine (PDYM). This certificate is terminal though. This will be a physical class only.
Practitioners: We are also looking for experienced practitioners who would like to upgrade their practice. This is a six month online programme. Internship is optional.
Retiree: We are seeking for retired people who do not want to be idle but want to keep earning after retirement. This is another six month online programme including a two month internship and the internship is physical.
To reduce over-medicalisation, we aim to organize periodic seminars and colloquiums, creating a platform for people to learn about indigenous healing techniques and traditional method for treating specific illnesses.
We are already putting in place a scheme that will enable outstanding students to win scholarship and we will open students to opportunities the global space has to offer to practitioners of traditional medicine.
What do you think are the most significant benefits of traditional African medicine and how can it be integrated into modern healthcare systems?
The most significant benefit of traditional African Medicine is that it is appropriate, available and affordable and it is potent. Already World Health Organisation (WHO) affirms that 80% of health seeking go to traditional medicine.
The integration of traditional medicine to modern medicine can be possible when the bill on traditional medicine is passed into law. The question of training is so compelling, only trained people can engage bio-medics meaningfully the basis for which there could be integration.
How do you plan to address potential criticisms or skepticism about traditional medicine?
While some may be skeptical about traditional medicine, my research and experience have shown its potential benefits. I am open to constructive criticism and dialogue, believing that respectful exchange can foster greater understanding and this can lead to better healthcare outcome.
Can you share any success stories or case studies of traditional African medicine being used effectively?
Traditional African Medicine is the future, and its successes are undeniable. Personally, I have experience the power firsthand- I overcame diabetes using native medicine and I am now medication-free. Another breakthrough I have made is in analgesic. Many people are addicted to pain killers, which can lead to kidney and liver damage. My innovative solution? A topical analgesic that you can bathe with, eliminating the need for oral painkillers. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize pain management and reduce addiction. But that is not all. This natural remedy also has preventive properties that help protect against stroke and paralysis. By harnessing the values of traditional medicine, we can take a proactive approach to our health and wellbeing, reducing the risk of debilitating conditions and improving our quality of life.
How do you see traditional African medicine evolving in the future, and what role do you hope your online school will play in the evolution?
Traditional African medicine will gain ground. Already, it is the medicine of the people.
I envision traditional African medicine evolving in the future through integration with modern healthcare, research, and technology. Our school will play a pivotal role in this evolution by:
Documenting and standardizing traditional practices.. Preserving knowledge and ensuring consistency through standard practice of traditional medicine.
Empowering practitioners and healthcare professionals.
Our College will serve as a hub for innovation, education, and advancement in traditional medicine, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and cultural preservation.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing traditional African medicine, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Traditional African medicine faces several challenges, including:
Lack of legal framework: Delayed passage of the Traditional Medicine Bill in Nigeria hinders practitioners ability to operate within the law.
Unfortunately, traditional medicine faces stigma due to widespread misconceptions and negative perceptions. This do not only limits the adoption but also deprives people of its potential benefits, creating a barrier to embracing it as a viable solution. By promoting awareness and education, we can work to dispel these misconceptions and unlock the full potentials of traditional medicine.
There is also the challenge of the proliferation of associations. Multiple traditional African medicine association, each claiming to be the best creating confusion and fragmentation
Quite a number of the practitioners rely mainly on inherited knowledge, without formal training leading to ethical and practice inconsistencies.
To overcome these challenges, we plan to. In collaboration with other agencies, we advocate for policy change so as to see to the passage of Traditional Medicine Bill.
We have designed formal training programs so as to provide structured education for practitioners and would be practitioners.
We will midwife and as well advocate for the need for a well structured ethical guidelines for the practice of traditional medicine so that practitioners are ethically grounded.
By addressing these challenges, we will promote the growth and recognition of traditional African medicine, ensuring its safe and effective practice.
How do you think technology can be leveraged to promote traditional African medicine?
Like every other thing, technology is critical to the promotion of traditional African medicine. Globally there is a huge demand for traditional medicine but the demand is greater than the supply majorly because of technological deficit.
Our College will be affiliated with machine fabricators or machine makers so that students will leverage on technology in drug production and packaging. We will do this by connecting students with fabricators from the beginning of their training.
The internship is designed to connect students with agencies and industries where technology is crucial to their drug production, So from the beginning, the interface of technology and traditional African medicine particularly in modern times is central to the agenda of the college.
Are there any regulatory or policy changes that you believe would help support the development of traditional medicine?
A major challenge facing traditional medicine in Nigeria is the lack of effective regulatory framework. Without clear oversight, the industry remains disjointed, eroding confidence among genuine professionals and aspiring practitioners. However, with proper regulation and acceptance, traditional medicine can unlock a wealth of opportunities. It can:
Foster a knowledge system generating a a new generation of skilled practitioners and graduating students who will drive industrialization, creating jobs and economic growth, promote environmental preservation and encouraging sustainable practices, and thereby contributing to economic development.
By harnessing the potential of traditional medicine, Nigeria can unlock a brighter future for its people.
How do plan to measure the impact and effectiveness of your college?
To measure the impact and effectiveness of our College, we plan to:
Track student outcomes by monitoring graduation rates, capacity of graduate of our College to be self employed and develop professionalism in traditional medicine.
Conduct alumni survey by gathering feedback on the relevance of and effectiveness of our programs.
Evaluate the research output by assessing the quality and impact of research publications and projects.
We will develop key performance indicators (KPIs) establishing metrics to track progress toward our mission and goals.
Our College will foster culture of innovation by encouraging entrepreneurship.
By regularly assessing our impact and effectiveness, we can ensure our College of Yoruba Medicine remains a leader in traditional medicine education and contributes to the well-being of our communities.
My vision for traditional African medicine is one of integration, innovation, and global recognition. I see a future where traditional medicine is valued and respected alongside modern medicine. I envision economic empowerment as traditional African medicine will contribute to economic growth of Africa. Encouraging shared knowledge on traditional African medicine and enabling best practices worldwide.
Our College with special interest in Yoruba medicine will contribute to the future by documenting and preserving cultural heritage. Developing new treatments and therapies, educating the next generation and pushing and sharing the benefits of Yoruba medicine with the world.
Are there any plans for expansion or partnership with other organisation?
We are putting in place an arrangement with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). We will be working with them in the area of quality control, drug production, validation and authentication. In Nigeria, our College shall work relevant government agencies so enable validation and accreditation of our certificate. We desire that they supervise and oversight our activities. We would to West pursue collaborative engagements with West African Health Organisation (WAHO). We are seeking strategic partnerships with international agencies who share our vision for globalising traditional medicine. By collaborating, we will unlock the full potential of traditional medicine, driving innovation and improving global health outcomes. Together, we can harness the power of traditional knowledge to benefit humanity worldwide/
How do you hope to engage with the broader community including policymakers, healthcare professionals and the general public?
Policymakers, healthcare professionals, and reputed practitioners of traditional medicine will serve as valuable resource persons for our College, providing insights and expertise to enhance our programmes.
We will engage healthcare professionals through regular discussions, updates, and consultations to build strong relationships and garner support for our initiatives.
To reach the general public, we plan to utilize media platforms especially radio stations, hosting discussion and updates about our programs to keep them informed and engaged.
Through these efforts, we aim to foster a collaborative environment that promotes the growth and success of our college, while also contributing to the advancement of traditional medicine.
What message do you hope to convey to the world about traditional medicine and you college?
The Oduduwa College of Yoruba Medicine is a beacon of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation to improve global health outcomes.
We preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Yoruba medicine while integrating modern research and technology to enhance its efficacy and reach.
Through global collaboration and knowledge sharing, we aim to foster a new era of holistic health and well-being benefiting people worldwide.
Our mission is to build bridges between cultures, advance traditional medicine and contribute to a healthier, more compassionate world.
