Campus News

Akanbi II canvasses abolition of sales of unprescribed antibiotics

By Abubakar Imam

The immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Aliyu Ajibola Akanbi II, has urged the Federal Government to enact a law that would abolish the sale of antibiotics without prescription. This, he said, would reduce the menace of drug resistance in the country.

            Prof. Akanbi II made this call last Thursday (July 31, 2025) while delivering the 288th Inaugural Lecture of the University, entitled “The Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Experience of a Clinical Microbiologist”, at the University Auditorium.           

The Inaugural Lecturer explained that the enactment of the law, which, he said, should be fully implemented, would limit misuse, recognise the link between misuse and antibiotic resistance and enforce necessary regulations in the interest of humanity.

Prof. Akanbi II also urged stakeholders at national and global levels to provide the general populace with comprehensive education on complications associated with excessive usage of antibiotics and the importance of abiding by prescribed treatment regimens.

The renowned medical scholar, who is also an alumnus of the University of Ilorin, explained that concerted efforts must be made to enlighten members of the public and health care professionals as well as others involved in animal health and agriculture for all to always abide by medical prescriptions.

Prof. Akanbi II, who is the pioneer Dean of the Faculty, canvassed the rational use of antibiotics when necessary, saying that appropriate dosage should only be given and administered to address resistance to existing drugs.

He suggested that all other initiatives to improve antibiotic use, improved patient outcomes and decreased adverse effects should be considered towards addressing the menace.

The don also suggested the use of multiple antibiotics with different mechanisms of action to treat infections. He said that the suggestion will go a long way in reducing resistance to antibiotics by the human system.

Prof. Akanbi II, who is a former Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, said that the suggestion is a promising strategy that would greatly reduce the risk of resistance development and potentially lower dosage and side effects.

He, however, counselled against the improper use of combination therapy, saying that it can accelerate resistance.

Prof. Akanbi II also suggested the monitoring and tracking of resistance patterns, pointing out that doing so would help to formulate treatment guidelines, and concomitantly guide treatment decisions.

While explaining that surveillance relies on voluntary reporting or active collection of data, Prof. Akanbi II said, “We need to integrate guidelines on antibiotics usage in humans, animals and the environment. He added that effective surveillance will help in developing and monitoring therapy and development of new antimicrobials.”

The former Dean, who has also served the nation in different capacities within and outside the country, equally called for environmental regulations, explaining that it will reduce antibiotic use in agriculture and limit resistance spread.

He explained that the major feature of this regulation should include managing waste water, solid waste and agricultural products to minimise the spread of resistance by promoting responsible antimicrobial use, improving sanitation and hygiene.

He also called for a consistent and adequate public awareness campaign against irresponsible use of drugs.

Prof. Akanbi II also called for the prioritisation of hand hygiene through frequent hand washing with soap and water especially in health care settings, saying that this form of infection control protocols would help to prevent the spread of resistant organisms.

He also called on members of the public to cultivate the habit of consulting health care professionals on any symptom and follow their instructions for treatment, warning that it is dangerous to share antibiotics with others or use leftover antibiotics without consulting a doctor.

            Prof. Akanbi II, who recalled his journey through life and particularly in the course of his professional career, appealed to parents not to lose hope in their children no matter what, saying that with proper counselling and prayers their progenies would live up to their expectations.

            The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided-over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, was also attended by other Principal Officers of the University, relations, friends, students and colleagues of Prof. Akanbi II.

Also present were the Emir of Ilorin,Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,CFR, who was represented by the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Uthman Abubakar-Jos; the Grand Kadi of Kwara State,Justice Abdulateef Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy; a former Grand Kadi of Kwara State, Justice Idris Abdullahi Haroon,OFR; and a former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Prof. Sulyman Alege Kuranga, and the National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, among several others.