Prof. Ali Akanbi of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ilorin, has called for a unified global intervention to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
He made the call on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Ilorin during the university’s 288th Inaugural Lecture, titled “The Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Experience of a Clinical Microbiologist.”
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process where microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them
According to him, international collaboration is essential to drive research into new antimicrobials, diagnostics, and alternative therapies.
He also stressed the importance of harmonising policies and regulations across countries to combat the spread of AMR.
According to Akanbi, microbes are microscopic living organisms, some of which, like viruses, can only be seen with specialised electron microscopes.
He identified five major categories of microorganisms: bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, and viruses, noting that many were airborne and more difficult to avoid than to detect.
“Medical microbiology, a significant branch of medical science, focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases.
“This field helps healthcare professionals identify pathogens, develop targeted therapies, and control the spread of infections,” he said.
He warned that antimicrobial resistance was a global health crisis largely driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both medical and community settings.
“AMR leads to increased difficulty in treating infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
“It is also contributing to rising morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, with projections suggesting that AMR could surpass other leading causes of death by 2050,” he said.
Akanbi emphasised that tackling AMR required a multifaceted approach, rational antibiotic use, effective infection prevention and control, the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools, and strengthened global cooperation and governance.
By Mujidat Oyewole