Prof Abdulkadir Zezi speaks on over-the-counter medicines at ABU inaugural lecture
A Professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Abdulkadir Umar Zezi, says over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are some times combined with caffeine.
Prof Zezi spoke at an inaugural lecture he delivered today, Wednesday, 10th June, 2026 at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
OTC medicines, according to him, are drugs that could be bought without a prescription against those drugs that can only be obtained with a prescription.
Prof Zezi said the classification of registered drugs as OTC may differ from country to country depending on the existing regulatory and legal provisions as well as on the organization of healthcare system.
According to him, in some developed countries OTC medicines can be purchased only in pharmacies where professional consultation of a pharmacist can be readily available and access to the needed information is given.
He stressed that in many less developed countries, where OTC drugs are also sold in drug shops or ordinary shops, professional advice and information may not be available.
Zezi affirmed that this can pose serious problems when a high proportion of users are illiterates and unable to understand the information in the package insert.
The don further said decisions concerning the classification of OTC and prescription medicines should be primarily based on scientific and health considerations.
Zezi maintained that the development of an OTC formulary can be of significant help in dealing with the problem.
The scholar thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their unwavering support towards the success of the lecture.
In a remark, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, congratulated the Prof Zezi for presenting a well grounded professorial paper.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof Bello Sabo, noted that a university is known for a powerful research output in terms of global ranking, which is what ABU stands for.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that inaugural lecture exposes the research standing of a scholar and his/her area of specialization.
He said inaugural lecture showcases what the university is academically in terms of what it can present to the world.
The Vice-Chancellor called on all professors to always avail themselves in subsequent series, adding that it is going to be twice a month.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman of the University Organized Lecture Committee, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, explained that inaugural lecture stands among the most important academic ceremonies in the life of a university, adding that it is far more than a formal milestone in a professor’s career.
Prof Rafindadi doubles as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Advancement, Research and Innovation.
He also said it represents a public presentation of a lifetime of intellectual inquiry, rigorous research, dedicated teaching, professional engagement and service to society.
The Chairman asserted that through inaugural lecture, the university community and the wider public gain insight into the ideas, discoveries and experiences that have shaped a scholar’s academic journey and contributed to the advancement of knowledge.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their continued support of the academic tradition.
In a vote of thanks, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof Mohammed Magaji, described Prof Zezi as a humble and erudite scholar who everyone would like to work with at postgraduate level.
The Dean thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for ensuring the success of the lecture.
There were presentation of plague to the inaugural lecturer and group photograph.
The event was attended by Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, students and family of the inaugural lecturer.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/AHW/PIC/TKU)
Wednesday, 10th June, 2026
