Drug Discovery: Minister Directs Research Institutions to Support Groundbreaking Plant Molecule Brain Cancer Study
Abuja, Nigeria | October 5, 2025
In a decisive move to harness Nigeria’s natural resources for advanced medical breakthroughs, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has issued a directive to major federal research institutions to prioritize and support an emerging study focused on a promising plant-based compound with potential to treat brain cancer.
The directive, which affects the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), follows a groundbreaking discovery by Nigerian scientists. The research centers around a molecule extracted from a plant native to North-Western Nigeria, which has demonstrated the remarkable ability to eliminate brain cancer cell lines—specifically glioblastoma multiforme—within 48 hours at a precise dosage.
Glioblastoma multiforme is among the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer, with limited effective treatment options and a typically poor prognosis. The discovery of a naturally occurring compound capable of targeting these cells offers a ray of hope for patients and medical professionals alike.
Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, Dr. Salako emphasized the importance of fast-tracking research and development in the country’s pharmaceutical sector, citing this breakthrough as a unique opportunity to position Nigeria at the forefront of cancer research and drug innovation.
“This discovery is not just a scientific milestone—it is a national priority. We are committed to supporting this research through funding, collaboration, and the full weight of government infrastructure. We believe this could become a defining moment in our fight against cancer,” Dr. Salako stated.
To coordinate and streamline efforts, the Minister has inaugurated a special committee to oversee the acceleration of this project. The committee will work closely with the research institutions to ensure that the study progresses from laboratory research to clinical trials in a timely and efficient manner.
In response, NIPRD, NIMR, and NICRAT have expressed strong support for the initiative. All three institutions have begun aligning resources, personnel, and planning collaborative frameworks to enhance research outcomes. Plans include international scientific partnerships, capacity-building programs, and eventual patient-centered clinical studies.
Experts believe that if successful, the study could represent a major leap forward in Nigeria’s biomedical research capabilities and help reduce dependence on imported treatments. More importantly, it could offer an affordable and accessible treatment alternative for thousands of brain cancer patients across the continent.
As this discovery continues to gain traction within scientific and policy circles, hopes are high that Nigeria may be on the verge of delivering a globally relevant medical breakthrough, born from its own natural heritage and scientific ingenuity.
