Utilization potentials of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria: a preliminary assessment

A survey on the utilization potentials of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria was conducted in 2011. The survey involved 14 states (including the Federal Capital Territory) across the five agroecological zones. The 14 States were Borno, Kano, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nassarawa, Abuja (F.C.T), Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Enugu and Anambra. A semi-structured questionnaire and field visits were adopted in this study while a multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. The survey found more than 25 local names of Moringa oleifera in Nigeria. Widespread utilization of Moringa as food was observed with its use as vegetable in soup, as salad or herbal tea having particularly high scores. There was low awareness of Moringa oleifera as a domestic cleansing agent although about 30% of respondents used it in domestic water clarification. The species has high ethno-medicinal value, addressing close to 20 conditions including typhoid and malaria fever (78.7%), ear infection (71.8%), eye infection (66.9%), lowering of blood sugar (diabetes mellitus) (65.2%) and blood pressure (64.7%). It is evident that this important species is still underutilized in Nigeria and more efforts are required for a fuller exploitation of its rich potentials.

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