The founding visionFascinating discussions with Father Anselm Adodo OSB lasted hours and covered the inspiration behind Paxherbals, the philosophy that drives it and his hopes for establishing a fully herbal teaching hospital in the future.

Under the microscopeThe on-site laboratory facilities at Paxherbals enable scientists to carry out quality control on all products and carry out continuous research into the medicinal properties of local herbs.

On the factory floorOn a tour of the factory I observed the drugs being made. Here Paxherbals Formula G, used for treating fever, is being put into capsules to improve dosage regulation, before being packaged.

A community of growersAfter an animated discussion with more than 20 of Pax’s herb suppliers from the local community, about how raw materials are collected, I had the chance to hear their personal stories.

Wisdom of eldersMeeting the King of Ewu, and his chiefs, provided a chance to learn more about the value, and continued use, of indigenous knowledge in and around Ewu.

Rural job creationRt. Hon. David Iyoha, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, discussed his decision to open a bottling factory in 2012 to supply Pax, thereby developing a local supply chain that has created jobs and circulated wealth within the immediate community.

Reaching the marketA visit to a distribution depot in the Festac area of Lagos provided valuable insight into how Pax products reach the consumers in Lagos, through a network of more than 80 trained and informed distributors.

Natural product developmentA conversation with TF Okujagu, Director General of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency, focused on the agency’s efforts to train herbal practitioners to support a more professional, business-oriented approach to herbal drug production.

Meeting industry standardsPaxherbals has more than 30 products certified as safe by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. This has been a key component in building public trust and altering perceptions.

Growing from rootsAn interview with Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Chairman of Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, provided valuable insight into the need to make the economic argument for the herbal medicine industry if it is to be fully supported by the federal government in Nigeria. I am pictured here with Dr Omoseyindemi and Bolanle Alabede, Pax’s PR officer, who arranged such meetings and guided me expertly to them through the infamous Lagos traffic.