PAAU Professor Explores Brain Signals in Addiction, Pain Management at 19th Inaugural Lecture
By Yahaya Idris
A Professor of Anatomy and Structural Biology at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Professor Abayomi Ajayi, has delivered the institution’s 19th inaugural lecture, shedding light on how tiny brain messengers influence addiction and chronic pain management.
The lecture, titled “Structures and Signals: How Tiny Brain Messengers Help Us Understand and Treat Addiction and Pain,” was delivered on Tuesday at the university auditorium in Anyigba.
In his presentation, Prof. Ajayi explained the role of Anatomy and Structural Biology in studying human structures from the whole organism to the molecular level, stressing their importance in modern medicine, neuroscience and healthcare research.
He described neuropeptides as tiny brain messengers responsible for regulating communication within the nervous system, influencing emotions, memory, pleasure, pain perception and behaviour.
According to him, the signalling molecules play critical roles in addiction and chronic pain pathways.
The professor identified major structures within the brain’s reward circuit, including the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), Nucleus Accumbens, Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala and Hippocampus, explaining how they interact in the development of addiction and chronic pain conditions.
Prof. Ajayi noted that substance abuse remains a growing public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among young people, with increasing cases linked to cannabis, tramadol and codeine abuse.
He said the consequences of addiction include mental health disorders, crime, reduced productivity and increased healthcare burdens.
Drawing from his research on FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) in Holothuria scabra, the lecturer explained how neuropeptides influence dopamine release, pain modulation and neural signalling.
He added that his studies contributed to the identification of native FaRPs, SALMFamide precursor genes and the development of a cost-effective Dot Immunoblot Assay suitable for resource-limited laboratories.
Prof. Ajayi further highlighted the therapeutic potential of neuropeptides in reducing addiction cravings, balancing pain signalling and protecting against memory dysfunction caused by drug abuse.
He also emphasized that healthy lifestyle practices such as quality sleep and regular exercise could stimulate beneficial neuropeptide production and improve mental and neurological wellbeing.
The don called for increased investment in Basic Medical Sciences, rehabilitation centres and interdisciplinary research to address addiction and chronic pain challenges across Africa.
He urged government to strengthen healthcare policies and rehabilitation systems to close the treatment gap in addiction management, while also calling on society to support individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Prof. Ajayi described the Vice-Chancellor of the university as a source of inspiration to him.
The lecturer, who has spent over two decades in academic service, was celebrated as the first Professor of Anatomy at the university, the first professor from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the first from the College of Health Sciences and the first specialist in Anatomy and Structural Biology in Nigeria.
Earlier, Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor Sunday Salifu Arogba, congratulated the lecturer on the academic milestone and commended the Vice-Chancellor for revitalizing the inaugural lecture series.
He reaffirmed the university management’s commitment to sustaining the lecture series on a biweekly basis to promote scholarship, intellectual engagement and academic excellence.
In a press release signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the inaugural lecture as a major intellectual milestone.
He said the topic addressed pressing global concerns surrounding addiction, mental health and chronic pain, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling modern health challenges.
Prof. Usman commended Prof. Ajayi for his academic contributions and groundbreaking research, noting that the lecture reflected the institution’s vision of promoting globally relevant scholarship and scientific innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor also appreciated members of the Inaugural Lecture Committee for sustaining the university’s intellectual culture through regular inaugural lectures.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of an inaugural lecture certificate and plaque to the lecturer, as well as a cash award of N500,000 donated by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences as part of incentives for lecturers delivering inaugural lectures.
The event attracted academics, medical experts, students, stakeholders and other distinguished guests from within and outside the university community.
