The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has sounded the alarm over the escalating threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as a silent yet deadly public health crisis that is claiming more lives than HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria combined.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with journalists over the weekend, the director-general of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris underscored the urgency of addressing AMR, which he said remains dangerously underestimated by the public despite its growing toll.
“AMR is a silent killer,” Idris warned. “It kills more than the combined impact of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The worst part is that most people in Nigeria are unaware of its dangers. It has become a global health emergency that we cannot ignore.”
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve and become resistant to medications meant to treat them, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This makes infections more difficult to treat, increasing the risk of complications, prolonged illness and death. While resistance can occur naturally, Idris emphasized that it is being driven at an alarming rate by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents in humans, animals and agriculture.
“It is unacceptable that most Nigerians do not understand how dangerous AMR is. We must act now,” he said, urging immediate collective action across all sectors.
The NCDC boss revealed that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to tackle the problem through the implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR 2.0. The plan focuses on infection prevention and control (IPC), antimicrobial stewardship and sustainable financing mechanisms.
“AMR should have been fully integrated into our national health programmes by now. But we are making progress. We’re rolling out new interventions to address this crisis head-on,” Idris explained. “Our strategy includes IPC in hospitals, stronger stewardship over antibiotic use, and mobilising financing to support these systems.”
He also disclosed that Nigeria will host the next Global Ministerial Conference on AMR in 2026 — an event expected to draw global stakeholders and refocus international attention on the AMR threat.
“This is a major responsibility and opportunity for Nigeria,” he said. “Planning begins next year and we’ve already set up planning committees. Unfortunately, we are yet to secure the necessary funding. Still, it’s a huge step for Nigeria to lead global AMR advocacy.”
Idris highlighted awareness as a central pillar of the national response, especially to curb rampant antibiotic misuse among the public and healthcare workers alike.
“We need to educate Nigerians about AMR. Antibiotics should never be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Buying over-the-counter antibiotics or self-medicating must stop. It’s dangerous,” he warned.
He criticised the common practice among some healthcare workers who prescribe antibiotics without conducting proper patient evaluations, often resorting to unnecessary treatments that contribute to resistance.
“Many healthcare providers are also part of the problem. They don’t always take patient history seriously or confirm a diagnosis before prescribing antibiotics, and many times, these medications aren’t even needed,” he said.
Idris concluded with a strong warning about the implications of unchecked AMR, stressing that it threatens the very foundation of modern healthcare, including surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatments, and other routine procedures.
“This issue is huge. We must treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Awareness is the first step to saving lives. Everyone – government, health workers and citizens – must take responsibility.”
