A medical expert, Professor Ali Ajibola Akanbi II of the University of Ilorin, has raised serious concerns over the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that the world is edging closer to a post-antibiotic era if urgent actions are not taken.
Delivering the 288th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin titled “The Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Experience of a Clinical Microbiologist”, Professor Akanbi described AMR as a growing pandemic that demands both public education and coordinated global intervention.
“The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals have turned once-curable infections into deadly threats,” he said. “If we do not change how antibiotics are used today, the next generation may have no effective treatment left.”
He called for widespread public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of self-medication and the importance of completing prescribed antibiotics. According to him, both the public and professionals in healthcare and agriculture sectors must be targeted for effective results.
He also advocated for the implementation of antibiotic stewardship programmes in hospitals and clinics, stressing the need for healthcare workers to ensure proper drug selection, dosing, and treatment duration.
“Antibiotics should only be prescribed when necessary and in the right dosages. Anything short of this fuels resistance, compromises treatment, and inflates healthcare costs,” Professor Akanbi noted.
Speaking on alternative solutions, he highlighted the importance of combination therapies, probiotics and prebiotics, and the use of surveillance systems to monitor resistance patterns. However, he warned that even these innovations could become ineffective if current habits persist.
“Probiotics and prebiotics can support a healthier gut environment and reduce dependence on antibiotics, while combination therapies lower resistance risks. But without behavioural change, we’re only postponing the inevitable,” he explained.
Professor Akanbi urged the Nigerian government to ban over-the-counter sales of antibiotics and enforce existing regulations. He also stressed the need for better infection control in hospitals and public places, including frequent hand washing and proper food handling.
“Government action must go beyond policy. We need strict enforcement and public sensitisation. Selling antibiotics without prescription should be outlawed immediately,” he declared.
Calling for international cooperation, he proposed a unified global approach to fund research into new antimicrobials and alternative therapies, harmonise regulations, and track resistance across borders.
He concluded with a call to action: “Every Nigerian has a role to play. Avoid self-medication, consult qualified health professionals, and stop sharing antibiotics. We must all act responsibly to safeguard antibiotics for the future.”
The lecture, which took place on July 31, 2025, at the University of Ilorin, emphasized the urgency of confronting antimicrobial resistance before it becomes a global health disaster.
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