Soludo Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Regulate Native Doctors in Anambra
In a significant move to address rising crime rates and standardize traditional medicine practices, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has signed the Anambra State Indigenous Traditional Medicine Practices Regulatory Agency and Other Related Matters Law, 2026, into effect. This legislation, passed by the State House of Assembly on March 31, 2026, and assented to by Governor Soludo in April 2026, introduces strict regulations and penalties for non-compliance among native doctors and traditional healers.
Strict Sanctions for Violations
During a stakeholders' meeting with traditional medicine practitioners in Awka, Hon. Ifeanyi Ofodeme, the Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, outlined the severe consequences for offenders. He emphasized that any practitioner found violating the law risks closure of their premises and possible confiscation of property. Ofodeme stressed that the law aims to prevent spiritual practices from being used to harm society, stating, "You don't use the God you serve to destroy society."
The law targets various infractions, including practising without a licence, making false declarations, obstructing regulatory access to premises, and resisting enforcement actions. Additionally, practitioners who engage in environmental pollution, such as performing animal sacrifices in public spaces or water bodies in ways that endanger public health, will face sanctions. A notable provision requires practitioners to report the death of a client on their premises; failure to do so constitutes an offence and may lead to facility closure upon court conviction.
Objectives and Regulatory Framework
Ofodeme explained that the law is designed to standardize practice, protect practitioners' rights, preserve traditional beliefs and heritage, curb abuses, and regulate operations within the sector. He clarified that the law is not intended to intimidate practitioners but to safeguard both them and their clients. Described as the first comprehensive regulation of its kind since Anambra State's creation in 1991, it differs significantly from the existing Anambra Herbal Practices Law.
The legislation establishes a regulatory board comprising a chairman, representatives of the Commissioners for Health and Culture and Tourism, and three zonal representatives of traditional practitioners. This board will oversee the agency's activities for a four-year term, renewable once. The framework also provides for digital registration, licensing, and continuous training of practitioners across the state, enhancing oversight and professionalism.
Stakeholder Support and Implementation
Ezedibia Daniel Ejie, the Coordinator of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Anambra State, praised Governor Soludo and the State Assembly for enacting the law, thanking Ofodeme for clarifying its provisions. Ejie noted that the law would help expose individuals hiding under the guise of traditional medicine to perpetrate criminal activities, ensuring that only registered and verified practitioners are allowed to operate. He added that the data capture system would enhance security and reduce harassment of genuine practitioners by law enforcement agencies.
Other stakeholders, including legal practitioner Zulike Chinwuba and Momah Eyisi Akpamgbo, commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to sanitize the sector and eliminate bad actors. They urged the government to appoint only qualified and credible practitioners to the regulatory board and pledged support for effective implementation of the law.
This landmark legislation marks a pivotal step in integrating traditional medicine into formal regulatory structures, aiming to balance cultural preservation with public safety and crime prevention in Anambra State.
