Public health experts and economists have raised concerns over the growing economic burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria, calling for urgent policy interventions to mitigate its impact.
Speaking separately with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, they emphasized that AMR – when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines – not only endangers lives but also poses a significant economic threat by increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity.
Dr. Abigail Banji, a health economist, warned that AMR could cost Nigeria billions of naira annually due to prolonged hospital stays, rising medical expenses, and decreased workforce productivity. She stressed the urgency of tackling the crisis, stating, “If left unchecked, AMR will cripple Nigeria’s healthcare system and significantly impact key economic sectors such as agriculture and trade.”
Citing a 2022 World Bank report, Banji noted that AMR could lead to a 3.8 per cent decline in global GDP by 2050, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria suffering the most. She explained that industries reliant on antibiotics, such as livestock farming and aquaculture, are particularly vulnerable, as drug-resistant infections could reduce food production and exports.
Director-general of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Abbas highlighted the financial strain AMR places on households. “When antibiotics fail, patients require longer and more expensive treatments, pushing many families into poverty. The ripple effect on the national economy is severe,” he said.
To combat this growing crisis, the Federal Ministry of Health has developed a National Action Plan on AMR. However, implementation has been slow due to funding constraints. Public health advocates are calling for increased investment in AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship and awareness campaigns to prevent the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
Civil society organizations, including the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), have intensified advocacy efforts, urging government and private sector partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s response.
“We must prioritise AMR as a national development issue,” said VNDC’s executive director, Mrs. Chika Offor. She warned that without urgent action, the economic losses could be devastating.
“As Nigeria seeks to achieve Universal Health Coverage and sustainable economic growth, addressing AMR must be at the forefront of national policy discussions,” she added, emphasising that failure to act now would escalate healthcare costs and undermine the country’s long-term economic stability.
