Why Nigerians must stop using antibiotics without prescription, by Aisha Waziri Kidaji

In Nigeria today, antibiotics are as common in homes as painkillers. Many people buy them from pharmacies, patent medicine stores, or even roadside vendors without a doctor’s prescription. Some take them for cough, catarrh, malaria, typhoid, or “just in case.”

While this practice may seem harmless, it is quietly fuelling a major public health crisis, antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are powerful medicines designed to treat bacterial infections. They do not work against viral infections such as the common cold, flu, or most sore throats. Unfortunately, many Nigerians use antibiotics whenever they feel unwell, regardless of the cause. This misuse allows bacteria to adapt and become resistant, meaning the drugs no longer work when truly needed.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to repeated exposure to antibiotics. When people take antibiotics unnecessarily, use the wrong dose, or stop treatment too early, some bacteria survive. These surviving bacteria become stronger and harder to kill. Over time, common infections that were once easily treatable become difficult, expensive, or even impossible to cure.

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The consequences are already visible. Patients now require stronger, more expensive antibiotics for infections that previously responded to basic treatment. Hospital stays become longer. Medical bills increase. In severe cases, resistant infections lead to complications or death. What makes this even more alarming is that very few new antibiotics are being developed worldwide. If resistance continues to rise, we risk returning to a time when minor infections could become life-threatening.

Self-medication is one of the biggest contributors to this problem. Many people assume they “know what works” because they have used a drug before. Others rely on advice from friends or family members. Some stop taking antibiotics once they feel better, keeping the remaining tablets for future use. These practices are dangerous. Every incomplete or inappropriate antibiotic course increases the chance of resistance.

Another major issue is the easy accessibility of antibiotics without proper regulation. When antibiotics are sold without a prescription, it becomes difficult to control misuse. Community awareness is also limited; many people do not fully understand the difference between bacterial and viral infections. Education is therefore critical.

Stopping antibiotic misuse requires collective responsibility. First, individuals must commit to using antibiotics only when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional. Second, patients must complete the full course of treatment exactly as directed, even if symptoms improve.

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Third, leftover antibiotics should never be stored for future use or shared with others. Finally, healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities must strengthen policies that restrict over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without prescription.

Pharmacists also play a vital role. As accessible healthcare professionals, they must educate patients about proper antibiotic use and refuse to dispense antibiotics without valid prescriptions. Public health campaigns in schools, markets, and communities can further spread awareness about the dangers of resistance.

Antibiotics are a precious medical resource. They have saved millions of lives since their discovery. However, their power is not unlimited. If misuse continues, future generations may face infections that cannot be treated with the medicines available today.

The responsibility lies with all of us. Choosing not to self-medicate with antibiotics is not just a personal health decision; it is a contribution to national and global health security. By using antibiotics responsibly, Nigerians can help preserve their effectiveness, reduce healthcare costs, and protect lives.

The time to act is now.

Aisha Waziri Kidaji studies Industrial Chemistry at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

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