From Pharma to Foliage: How Nigeria’s Drug Crisis and Deforestation Are Endangering Lives

This investigative reporting project explores the growing challenges in Nigeria's health care system due to rising drug prices and deforestation. With GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) exiting the Nigerian market and inflation driving up the cost of pharmaceuticals, many Nigerians are turning to traditional medicine as an alternative. However, this shift is complicated by the scarcity of medicinal plants, a direct result of ongoing deforestation.

Focusing on the treatment of malaria and typhoid—two prevalent diseases in Nigeria—this investigation will highlight how the unavailability of key plants affects both traditional healers and the communities they serve. Through interviews with affected individuals, traditional doctors, and academic experts, the report will connect the dots between environmental degradation and public health.

By collecting data on deforestation, medicinal plant scarcity, and disease prevalence, journalist Abdulwaheed Sofiullah aims to shed light on the broader implications of these interconnected issues. His work will offer critical insights into how environmental changes are exacerbating health care challenges in Nigeria, ultimately impacting the well-being of millions.