A Professor of Medical Microbiology and Public Health at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Festus Olajubu, has declared that nature provides solutions to many health challenges, asserting that plant-based remedies have demonstrated strong potential in combating diseases and microbes that have developed resistance to synthetic drugs.
Prof. Olajubu made this assertion on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while delivering the 54th Inaugural Lecture of the university titled, “The Unwinnable War Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Nature to the Rescue.”
According to him, the growing failure of commonly used antibiotics has become evident from various scientific data, prompting the search for viable, affordable and potent alternatives with minimal side effects.
“The failures of major commonly used antibiotics are obvious,” he said. “The search for readily available, affordable and effective alternatives to synthetic antibiotics led to the investigation of many plants and plant parts.
The efficacy of most of these nature-endowed products against multidrug-resistant bacteria has been proven beyond doubt.”
He called on governments at all levels to intensify support for research into plant-based antibiotics and to simplify the licensing and registration processes for herbal products. He also urged public and private hospitals to allow herbal medicine units to co-exist alongside conventional pharmacy units.
In addition, the professor encouraged individuals to cultivate herbal gardens in their homes to ensure easy access to fresh medicinal plants.
While emphasising that herbal products have come to stay, Prof. Olajubu stressed the need for strict hygiene standards in the production of herbal medicines. He also advocated sustained public awareness campaigns in local languages to educate citizens on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
He defined antimicrobial resistance as a situation where antibiotics that previously treated infections effectively no longer work for the same infections. He attributed the growing threat to several factors, including the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, poor infection prevention and control practices, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, global travel and trade, bacterial genetic adaptation, environmental contamination, inappropriate diagnostic practices, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in agriculture and veterinary practice.
To curb the rapid spread of drug-resistant microbes, Prof. Olajubu recommended the rational use of antimicrobial drugs, strict avoidance of self-medication, completion of prescribed antibiotic courses, and discouragement of the use of leftover drugs.
He urged pharmacies and drug outlets to insist on valid prescriptions before dispensing antimicrobials. Veterinarians, he added, must ensure accurate diagnosis before administering antibiotics to animals.
Other measures he proposed include increased vaccination to reduce reliance on antibiotics, strict hospital infection control through proper disinfection of surfaces and equipment, improved wastewater treatment and disposal, enforcement of antimicrobial policies, and a total ban on the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in animals.
He also called for the establishment of Departments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in tertiary institutions and increased funding for research into novel antimicrobials and alternative therapies.
“The most effective response to antimicrobial resistance integrates human health systems, veterinary services, agricultural practices and environmental management,” he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of AAUA and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, described Prof. Olajubu as an accomplished academic and researcher who has distinguished himself in the academic community.
He noted that inaugural lectures provide opportunities for scholars to share their research experiences and offer recommendations for societal development. He urged the audience to internalise the lessons from the lecture in order to safeguard public health.
