How Nigeria’s ‘algorithmic apothecary’ fuels a surge in risky herbal cures

Abuja, Nigeria – Oke Bola thought a fertility supplement she found online might help her conceive. Instead, within days of taking it, she struggled to breathe. Her experience reflects a growing online trade in unverified herbal remedies promoted across social media.

Bola (not her real name), who is in her early 40s and has never had children, said she bought the supplement earli...