Dean of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo, Professor Peter Aziba, has called for adequate funding of the National Universities Commission (NUC) for effective research in pharmacology in Nigerian universities.
Aziba said that adequate funding of NUC by the federal government would ensure quality teaching and research in pharmacology in universities.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sidelines of his inaugural lecture at Igbinedion University Okada, near Benin.
The theme of the lecture is “Man and Drug Interactions: An In-vitro Smooth Muscle Experimental Approach”.
The Professor of Pharmacy said: “I am aware that the major problem confronting the subject is mainly having the right equipment for studies.
“It is rather shameful that no Nigerian university has kymograph for recording vascular work.
“I call on the NUC to critically look at the shortcoming of quality research, specifically in pharmacology in universities.
“It is becoming clear that even in this simple In-vitro system, we can see complex pharmacological behaviour that will be missed by studying drugs actions only at the chemical level.”
The don urged the government to provide pharmaceutical equipment for studying in the country and ensure that all Nigerian universities were well equipped.
He defined drugs as a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
