Nigeria is set to host a global conference on antimicrobial resistance in December as drug resistance threatens millions of people

Nigeria is set to host a global conference on antimicrobial resistance in December as drug resistance threatens millions of people

From our health correspondent

Abuja (Core Reporters) Nigeria will host the Fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) from December 6-8, 2026 in Abuja, as the Federal Government seeks stronger international cooperation to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.

The conference is expected to bring together global health leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to accelerate action against antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to resist drugs designed to treat infections.

Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Care Prof Muhammad Pate described antimicrobial resistance as a “silent pandemic” and warned that infections, once easily treatable, were becoming increasingly difficult to manage, leading to prolonged illness and avoidable deaths.

Pate was speaking during a joint ministerial press conference in Abuja, where government officials highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action in the health, agriculture, livestock and environmental sectors.

It revealed that antimicrobial resistance is directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths worldwide each year and is associated with nearly five million deaths, underlining the scale of the global health emergency.

The minister urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication, use antibiotics only when prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals and strictly adhere to prescribed treatment schedules.

He said the federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had been running an antimicrobial stewardship program in federal hospitals for two and a half years, along with a clinical governance task force established to improve medical practices and reduce healthcare-associated infections.

According to him, Nigeria is also pursuing stronger regulatory oversight by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), increased diagnostic capacity, better training of health workers and improved pharmaceutical distribution systems to address challenges associated with open drug markets.

Pate acknowledged existing gaps in surveillance, but stressed that effective control of antimicrobial resistance would require sustained investment, improved infection prevention and a government-wide approach.

It identified vaccination, handwashing, hygiene and other preventive measures as essential to reduce infections and limit demand for antimicrobial drugs.

Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal said antimicrobial resistance is a cross-border, multi-sectoral challenge that spreads through human and animal populations, food systems, water, soil and waste.

He called for stronger inter-ministerial collaboration, translating international commitments into local interventions, inclusive stakeholder engagement and accountability through public reporting.

Lawal also warned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, underlining the importance of following medical prescriptions and strengthening environmental protection to limit the spread of resistant microorganisms.

Likewise, Assistant Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the Abuja conference will review progress, accelerate interventions and strengthen governance frameworks to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Salako cited findings from a 2022 Lancet study estimating that bacterial antimicrobial resistance caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, including about 64,500 in Nigeria.

It warned that more than 39 million deaths could be attributable to antimicrobial resistance worldwide between 2025 and 2050 without effective interventions.

Representing the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, and Director of Phytosanitary and Pest Control Services in the ministry, Iwendi Odunola, said antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat not only to public health but also to agricultural productivity, food security, trade and livelihoods.

He explained that while antimicrobials remain important for protecting human, animal and plant health, their misuse accelerates resistance, weakens disease control and compromises food safety.

Odunola identified responsible use of antimicrobials, stronger food safety systems, expansion of agricultural extension services, improved biosecurity and integrated pest management as key measures to address the problem.

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Abdulkareem Durosunlorun, also called for better training of farmers and responsible use of antimicrobials throughout the livestock value chain.

It warned that inappropriate use of antibiotics in pursuit of commercial interests could accelerate resistance, endanger public health and compromise food safety.

Maiha urged farmers to administer antibiotics only under veterinary prescription, to observe recommended withdrawal periods before animal products enter the food chain and to adopt effective biosecurity and disease prevention measures.

The December conference, which will be co-led by the four participating ministries and hosted by President Bola Tinubu, is expected to culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact, a framework designed to translate international commitments on antimicrobial resistance into measurable actions with clear accountability mechanisms.

The program will include a Non-State Actor Day, ministerial sessions on implementation and governance and a closed-door roundtable.

Representatives from the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attended the briefing and pledged support for Nigeria to host the conference.

The meeting is expected to strengthen global cooperation and promote practical measures to contain antimicrobial resistance, improve public health outcomes and protect food systems from the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.