With the COVID-19 pandemic exposing the fragility of global health systems and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) potentially reversing decades of medical progress, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The nation’s efforts to strengthen its health security have never been more urgent. As one of Africa’s largest and most diverse countries, Nigeria’s approach to safeguarding public health not only affects its citizens but also has a far-reaching impact across the continent.
Aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria is tackling these challenges with a strong commitment to building a resilient and sustainable health system. Agenda 2063, Africa’s development blueprint, aims to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth over 50 years. It was adopted on January 31, 2015, during the 24th Ordinary Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
A major step in Nigeria’s journey towards strengthening its health security is the launch of the country’s second National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), alongside a comprehensive National Health and Health Security Strategic Plan. These initiatives mark a pivotal moment in the country’s health agenda, reinforcing Nigeria’s dedication to addressing urgent public health concerns while preparing for future threats.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate emphasised that AMR poses one of the most significant threats to global health, impacting the effectiveness of treatments for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. He highlighted the pressing need for a coordinated, all-government effort to tackle this growing problem, which was responsible for an estimated 4.7 million deaths globally in 2021.
Nigeria faces unique challenges when addressing AMR due to its size, diverse ecology, and complex social structures. Co-chair of the Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Working Group (AMRTWG), Prof. Kabir Junaid pointed out that environmental factors, such as the encroachment of the ocean on human and non-human ecosystems, exacerbate the AMR problem in Nigeria. He cited that an estimated 64,500 deaths in the country are linked to AMR annually.
Junaid added that Nigeria’s drug resistance index in the human health sector exceeds 65 per cent, far surpassing the global threshold of 25 per cent. Additionally, multi-resistant bacteria are prevalent in the animal health sector, further contributing to environmental contamination in water and soil. Addressing this challenge requires a well-planned and effectively implemented action plan.
The newly introduced National Action Plan on AMR aims to create a healthier nation by preventing and responding to AMR through evidence-based approaches. Its goals include reducing the evolution of resistant organisms, ensuring the safe and effective use of antimicrobials, and strengthening leadership across One Health sectors—a framework integrating human, animal and environmental health.
The estimated cost of implementing the plan exceeds USD 77.6 million, with over 30 per cent of resources allocated to antimicrobial access and optimal usage by 2025. Key agencies leading these efforts include the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Federal ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
As Nigeria grapples with AMR, the nation is also looking toward advanced solutions that could transform its healthcare system. The study of genomics and data science is emerging as a powerful tool to address not only AMR but broader public health challenges as well. Director of the centre for genomics and precision medicine, Dr. Mayowa Owolabi believes that Nigeria should take a leadership role in leveraging Africa’s rich genetic resources.
“Africa, being the cradle of humanity, has the richest genomic resources,” Owolabi said. By utilising these resources alongside data science, Nigeria has the potential to revolutionise its health sector and contribute to global innovations in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening health security is in line with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. Addressing AMR is crucial to this broader strategy, as it affects not only health systems but also economic stability and overall development.
WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo warned that AMR could potentially trigger the next pandemic if left unaddressed. He emphasised that the consequences of AMR stretch beyond health, impacting other SDGs such as zero poverty (SDG 1) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
The National Action Plan on AMR outlines clear objectives to enhance leadership, improve surveillance systems, and strengthen infection prevention efforts, particularly focusing on the One Health approach. Genomic surveillance plays a key role in Nigeria’s AMR strategy, with Pate underscoring the need for an independent scientific panel on AMR within Africa. This, he said, would allow the continent to harness its scientific resources and develop home-grown solutions to health challenges.
The fight against AMR requires a multi-sector approach. Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal highlighted the importance of integrating efforts across environmental health, livestock and healthcare sectors. Lawal stressed the need to preserve antimicrobials for future generations while promoting sustainable practices that protect food security, human health and the environment.
An infection preventionist, Dr. Kelvin Aizebhughele emphasised that infection prevention programmes should be mandated across all healthcare facilities. He warned that without concrete measures, the fight against AMR risks being reduced to mere rhetoric.
Director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris pointed out the need for a shift from discussion to tangible action in combating AMR. “This move towards implementation is crucial to achieving sustainable progress in the fight against antimicrobial resistance,” Idris noted.
With 67 per cent of antimicrobial use occurring in the animal health sector, AMR and infection prevention control coordinator at the NCDC, Dr. Tochi Okwor explained that coordinated vaccination efforts in both human and animal health are essential to mitigating resistance. Okwor also emphasised the need for integrating environmental health considerations into AMR strategies, as AMR bacteria often spread through environmental pathways.
As Nigeria embarks on implementing its second National Action Plan on AMR, the nation’s commitment to health security is evident. By aligning its national health initiatives with global goals, Nigeria is taking significant steps toward a healthier, more resilient future. As Minister Pate declared, Nigeria is “committed to building a future where every Nigerian benefits from improved healthcare and stronger health security.”
The strategies outlined in the plan not only position Nigeria as a leader in the fight against AMR but also contribute to broader efforts to achieve Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN)
