Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and scientific community has received a significant boost as Professor Olobayo Olufunsho Kunle has been appointed to the Expert Group of the World Health Organisation on the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP), a critical global initiative aimed at standardising herbal medicines and strengthening their integration into modern healthcare systems.
Professor Kunle, a distinguished pharmaceutical scientist and Research Professor at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, brings over 35 years of experience in drug development, herbal medicine standardisation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and health policy to the global body. His appointment underscores Nigeria’s growing relevance in international discussions on phytomedicine and pharmaceutical innovation.
An internationally recognised authority in pharmaceutical technology and raw materials development, Kunle has played a pioneering role in advancing indigenous drug research in Nigeria. He is best known as the Project Coordinator of NICOSAN, also known as NIPRISAN, Nigeria’s first fully developed and commercialised phytomedicine for the management of sickle cell disease. From laboratory research through clinical trials to commercial scale-up, he led the process that culminated in the drug’s successful licensing to a United States-based pharmaceutical company, marking a historic milestone in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
His expertise spans herbal medicine formulation, clinical trials, regulatory science, and pharmacopoeia development. Over the years, he has contributed extensively to the development and standardisation of herbal medicines, both nationally and regionally. He was a key contributor to the Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia and has served as an expert on the West African Herbal Pharmacopoeia under the West African Health Organisation, positioning him as a natural fit for the WHO’s global initiative.
Beyond research, Professor Kunle has held several high-level leadership and policy roles. He previously served as Acting Director-General of NIPRD, where he oversaw institutional reforms and the accreditation of laboratories to international standards. He also served as Chief of Staff at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, contributing to national quality infrastructure and laboratory accreditation efforts.
His experience in public sector leadership is complemented by his involvement in critical national and international committees. He has served on the Presidential Committee on the Pharmaceutical Sector, the National Pharmacovigilance Policy Committee, and the investigation panel on the Kano Trovan clinical trials, which informed global regulatory reforms. He has also been actively involved with the WHO, including serving as Rapporteur for the Regional Advisory Committee on Traditional Medicines.
Academically, Professor Kunle is a professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development and holds adjunct professorships at the University of Abuja and Veritas University. He began his academic career at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Pharmaceutics. His research, including early work on the use of indigenous starches as pharmaceutical raw materials, has contributed significantly to local content development in drug manufacturing.
With over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and numerous conference presentations, Kunle is widely respected in both academic and professional circles. He is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and has held several leadership positions within the body, including Chairman of its Abuja branch.
His appointment to the WHO Expert Group on the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia is expected to strengthen global efforts to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines. It also highlights the increasing recognition of African expertise in shaping international health standards.
For Nigeria, the development represents not only an individual achievement but also a strategic opportunity to deepen its contribution to global health policy, particularly in the area of traditional and herbal medicine, where the country holds significant untapped potential.
