The Federal Government has warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming an increasingly serious public health threat, with drug-resistant infections estimated to have caused 64,500 deaths in Nigeria in 2019.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, issued the warning on Monday at a joint ministerial press conference in Abuja. Pate represented the ministries overseeing health and social welfare, agriculture and food security, livestock development, and the environment. The ministries are working together under Nigeria’s One Health framework ahead of an international conference on AMR scheduled for December.
Antimicrobial resistance develops when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites stop responding to medicines used to treat them. This can make infections more difficult to control and increase the dangers associated with surgery, childbirth and other routine medical procedures.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the gravest threats of our time. When antibiotics and other antimicrobials stop working, routine infections become dangerous, surgery and childbirth carry greater risk, and the cost of care rises for every family,” Pate said.
Nigeria is scheduled to host the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026. The event is expected to attract ministers, researchers, development organisations and other stakeholders seeking stronger global action against drug-resistant infections.
Pate said international commitments had already been made through the 2024 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR, the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments. He stressed that the next step was to turn those commitments into measurable action. The conference will be held under the theme, “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitment Through Local Action.” Discussions will centre on joint measures addressing human, animal and environmental health.
Agriculture Minister Warns of Threat to Food Production
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said antimicrobial resistance posed a significant risk to agricultural output and food security. He explained that the improper or excessive use of antimicrobial medicines could make disease management less effective, lower productivity and create food safety concerns.
Abdullahi said the One Health approach was necessary because the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment was closely linked. He urged the adoption of coordinated policies, improved monitoring systems and long-term measures across all relevant sectors. The minister, who was represented by the Director of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Iwendi Grace Odunola, listed responsible use of antimicrobials and agrochemicals, stronger food safety controls, wider agricultural extension support and better farmer training among the government’s priorities.
Preparations for the December meeting are expected to support a more coordinated national response to antimicrobial resistance, bringing together the health, agriculture, livestock and environmental sectors.
The problem is not limited to hospitals. Inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines in people and animals can encourage the emergence and spread of microorganisms that are resistant to treatment.
