Amid growing concerns over the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), health experts, policymakers and stakeholders gathered in Abuja for a high-level workshop aimed at tackling the crisis through a multidisciplinary approach.
Organised on Thursday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in collaboration with Jhpiego, the workshop underscored the urgency of AMR as a major public health challenge. With Nigeria ranking 20th out of 204 countries in AMR-related deaths – accounting for approximately 263,400 fatalities in 2019 – the need for immediate action was a key focus of discussions.
Despite this alarming statistic, a national survey revealed that while 56.5 per cent of Nigerians are familiar with the term “antibiotic resistance,” only 8.3 per cent have a good understanding of AMR. Additionally, 76.6 per cent of respondents feel powerless to combat its spread, highlighting the urgent need for public education and stronger interventions.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Yemisi Ogundare of Jhpiego emphasised the importance of a collective approach to tackling AMR. She noted that collaboration among stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers, is critical to driving impactful solutions.
Head of disease prevention and control at NCDC, Dr. Tochi Okwor highlighted the multifaceted nature of the crisis. She stressed that AMR is not just a medical issue but also a regulatory, economic, and data-driven challenge requiring a coordinated response across various sectors.
Experts at the workshop called for improved surveillance and laboratory systems to track and combat AMR effectively. Dr. Gabriel Adakole, a public health expert, urged the Federal Government to invest in laboratory infrastructure and national surveillance systems, warning that weak monitoring mechanisms hinder Nigeria’s ability to detect and contain AMR outbreaks. He also emphasised the need to strengthen healthcare systems, cautioning that without urgent action, AMR could reverse decades of progress in disease control and treatment.
Chief operating officer at The Trinity Challenge, Louise Gough highlighted the role of innovation in the fight against AMR. She encouraged Nigerian researchers and institutions to participate in the upcoming Trinity Challenge, which offers grant funding and access to international networks supporting innovative health solutions.
The workshop aligns with Nigeria’s One Health strategy, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health efforts to combat AMR holistically. Experts at the event stressed the need for policy frameworks that regulate antibiotic use in both human and veterinary medicine to curb resistance.
As Nigeria advances its AMR containment strategies, the outcomes of this workshop are expected to inform national policies, strengthen regulatory frameworks and foster global partnerships to mitigate the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.
