Renowned University of Ilorin microbiologist Professor Ali Ajibola Akanbi II has issued a dire warning about the unchecked misuse of antibiotics, declaring it a "silent pandemic" that threatens to trigger a global health crisis more devastating than any prior pandemic.

Speaking during the university's 288th Inaugural Lecture titled "The Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Experience of a Clinical Microbiologist" Professor Akanbi stressed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is silently spreading across borders, compromising human health, animal welfare, food security, and environmental integrity.

"This isn't a distant threat it's already here," warned the distinguished scholar. "When antibiotics fail, routine surgeries, childbirth, and even minor infections could become fatal. We are racing against time to avert a catastrophe that could erase decades of medical progress."

Professor Akanbi, a leading authority in clinical microbiology, called for urgent multi-sectoral action, including:

Strict regulation of antibiotic prescriptions

Public education on responsible drug use

Investment in new antimicrobial research

Global coordination to curb agricultural overuse

His lecture underscored Kwara State's role in Nigeria's AMR response, urging policymakers to prioritise this "existential threat" before it escalates beyond containment.

He cautioned that the rising trend of indiscriminate antibiotic use and rampant self-medication is fuelling the emergence of drug-resistant infections, with devastating consequences.

According to him, "If we do not change the way antibiotics are used now, the new ones being developed will also become ineffective."

Professor Akanbi lamented the poor awareness of the dangers of AMR, particularly in Nigeria, and called for intensified public education on the responsible use of antibiotics.

He emphasised that antibiotics are not cure-alls and must only be taken on prescription, in the right dose and for the appropriate duration.

He explained that many people wrongly believe antibiotics can treat all illnesses, including viral infections and general body pain.

This misunderstanding, he noted, contributes to widespread misuse, complicating treatment outcomes and weakening existing drugs.

To address this, he proposed the widespread adoption of antibiotic stewardship programmes that can help refine prescription habits among healthcare workers and discourage unnecessary use.

He also suggested alternative treatment options such as combination therapies, probiotics, and prebiotics to reduce the dependence on antibiotics.

Professor Akanbi stressed the need for robust surveillance systems that can monitor resistance trends across human, animal, and environmental sectors.

Such monitoring, he noted, would support evidence-based treatment guidelines, promote innovation in drug development, and enable faster responses to emerging resistance threats.

He warned that environmental contamination, particularly through the release of antibiotics from hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, and farms into water bodies and soil, remains a major driver of resistance.

"Managing wastewater and agricultural runoff is critical in reducing environmental exposure to antimicrobials," he said.

The microbiologist further advocated for strict environmental regulations and responsible antibiotic disposal practices to prevent the proliferation of resistant organisms.

He noted that poor waste management practices, especially in rural areas, continue to compound the problem.

Calling for a united front, he urged international collaboration to fund research, standardise regulatory frameworks, and drive innovation in alternative treatments and diagnostics.

He insisted that Nigeria must take concrete steps to restrict over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without valid prescriptions.

Professor Akanbi also highlighted the importance of hygiene and infection prevention as a cost-effective approach to limiting the spread of resistant organisms.

According to him, frequent handwashing, safe food handling, and hospital infection control protocols are basic yet powerful tools in the fight against AMR.

He urged individuals to stop sharing antibiotics, avoid using leftovers, and always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any antimicrobial medicine.

"We all have a role to play in this fight. AMR is not a future problem; it is already here. What we do now will determine the fate of global health for generations to come," he submitted.