NBTE Clears Path for ND, HND in Alternative Medicine

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has successfully concluded a National Critique Workshop focused on the development and validation of curricula for National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) across Nigeria.

The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), brought together key stakeholders from academia, professional associations, regulatory agencies, and practitioners within the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) sector.

The successful completion of the critique workshop marks a major milestone in efforts to integrate Complementary and Alternative Medicine education into Nigeria’s tertiary education system. With standardized curricula now developed, polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide are expected to commence ND and HND programmes in CAM in the near future.
Chairman of the Critique Workshop, Professor Baba Ejiga of the West African Postgraduate College of Natural and Integrative Medicine, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for their support in advancing Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine education and practice in Nigeria.
Professor Ejiga also praised the leadership of NBTE, FEDCAM, and other stakeholders for their commitment to educational reforms and professional development within the TCAM sector. He further acknowledged the contributions of NBTE staff, particularly the past and present Directors of Curriculum Development, Dr. Koko and Dr. Bello, for their dedication to the successful development of the new curricula. According to him, health and education remain critical pillars of national development.

A major highlight of the event was the investiture of the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Mohammed Bugaje, as Patron of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine profession in Nigeria, in recognition of his outstanding support and contributions to the advancement of the sector.
Notable participants at the workshop included the Sole Administrator of FEDCAM, Dr. Aderemi Azeez; the Vice-Chancellor of Mercy Medical University, Iwo, Professor Mohammed Sule; Professor Aminu Adamu Ambi of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Dr. Oghale Ovuakporie-Ovo of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo; Professor M.I. Jawa of MIJ College of Traditional Medicine and Acupuncture, Damaturu, Yobe State; Ambassador (Dr.) Walid Shawkey Moukarim of Shifah Holistic Health Care, Kaduna; and several distinguished scholars and practitioners from across the country.
Members of the FEDCAM team, including Professor Afonja Ibrahim and Dr. Kafilat Onanuga, also made significant contributions to the workshop proceedings.
The Association of Provosts and Heads of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Colleges and Institutions was represented by its Chairman, Professor Adedamola Bank-Kadejo, alongside Professor Joseph Akpile and other institutional leaders.
Also in attendance were Dr. Akinlolu Fawehinmi of the Nigeria College of Natural Medicine Technology, Lagos; Dr. Muhammed Jibril of Bayero University, Kano; Hon. Johnson Elechi, President of the Association of Integrative Medical Practitioners of Nigeria; Dr. Yakubu Adamu, Chairman of the Association of Integrative Medicine Practitioners; and other stakeholders in the natural healthcare sector.
As part of the workshop activities, participants were led by the Sole Administrator of FEDCAM on an inspection tour of the Kaduna Campus of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. During the visit, they assessed available facilities and discussed plans for the institution’s expansion. It was proposed that the college would operate campuses in both Lagos and Kaduna to further expand access to quality TCAM education and training across Nigeria.
Participants described the workshop as a historic achievement that would provide a unified academic framework for Complementary and Alternative Medicine education in Nigeria, enhance professional standards, promote research and innovation, and expand opportunities for training and healthcare delivery nationwide.
The workshop represents another significant step toward the formal integration of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine into Nigeria’s educational and healthcare systems, positioning the country as a leader in TCAM education and professional development in Africa.