Ancestral Remedies to Future Cures: The Journey of Tradition | Paul Akin-Otiko | TEDxNUTM

Fr. Paul Akin-Otiko, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Lagos, traces how traditional medicine has moved from ancestral remedies toward possible future cures. He argues for integrating it into modern healthcare through a pluralism of methods. The talk, given at TEDxNUTM, outlines three pillars: research to validate and innovate on traditional practices, care that combines ancestral knowledge with contemporary approaches, and advocacy for global recognition and ethical use. The speaker closes with an actionable plan intended to bridge cultural heritage and scientific progress for wider health impact.

• Evolution of traditional medicine from ancestral remedies to potential future cures
• Research to validate and innovate on traditional practices
• Care that combines ancestral knowledge with contemporary approaches
• Advocacy for global recognition and ethical use

In this insightful talk, Fr. Paul Akin-Otiko traces the evolution of traditional medicine from ancestral remedies to potential future cures, emphasizing the importance of integrating it into modern healthcare through pluralism of methods. He explores key pillars: rigorous research to validate and innovate on traditional practices, provision of care that combines ancestral knowledge with contemporary approaches, and advocacy to promote its global recognition and ethical use. Akin-Otiko concludes with an actionable plan to advance this journey, bridging cultural heritage with scientific progress for broader health impacts. Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Lagos and Chaplain at its Catholic Chaplaincy. He holds a Ph.D. in African Religion and specializes in African cultures and traditional medicine. A published scholar and Fellow of the Bayreuth Academy, his current research explores bioethical issues in African Traditional Medicine. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx