Nigeria has called for coordinated action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that drug-resistant infections pose growing threats to public health, food security and the environment ahead of a global ministerial conference scheduled for December.
The fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance will be held in Abuja from December 6 to 8, bringing together government officials and international partners to strengthen efforts to combat drug resistance, according to Savi News Africa.
The conference, to be held under the theme “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitments to Local Action,” will focus on translating international commitments into practical measures at the national and local levels.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms develop the ability to withstand medicines designed to treat infections, making illnesses more difficult to treat and increasing the risk of severe complications and death.
Nigeria is seeking to strengthen surveillance, expand laboratory capacity, promote the responsible use of antimicrobial medicines and improve access to essential drugs as part of its response to the threat.
The country is also promoting a “One Health” approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health and the role of each in the spread of drug resistance.
Nigeria’s agriculture authorities have highlighted the risks associated with inappropriate antimicrobial use in livestock production, including potential consequences for food safety, agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods. Measures under consideration include improving farmer education, strengthening biosecurity and promoting responsible use of medicines in animal production.
Environmental concerns are also part of the response, as resistant microorganisms and antimicrobial residues can spread through water, soil and waste systems, highlighting the need for cooperation across government sectors.
The conference is expected to advance the proposed Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, an action-oriented framework intended to turn global commitments into concrete interventions and strengthen accountability for implementation.
The meeting comes amid mounting concern over the global burden of drug-resistant infections. A study published in The Lancet estimated that bacterial antimicrobial resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
The Abuja conference will provide a platform for governments and international partners to coordinate these efforts and identify practical steps to contain the spread of drug resistance.
