At the bustling Karu Abattoir in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Matthew Chibuzor meticulously collects samples from freshly slaughtered cattle. His mission is urgent – tracking the silent spread of drug-resistant bacteria from animals to humans. The findings are alarming.
“We are seeing multidrug-resistant Salmonella and E. coli strains in both the meat and the workers handling them,” Chibuzor explains. “These bacteria don’t just stay here; they make their way into kitchens, hospitals and, ultimately, the bloodstream of patients who can no longer be treated with standard antibiotics.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat, weakening the effectiveness of treatments for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In 2019 alone, AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide and projections suggest that by 2050, this figure could rise to 10 million deaths annually if left unchecked. Low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, already struggling with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited surveillance and high disease burdens, face the worst consequences.
For 29-year-old Mary Goma, the crisis is personal. Her six-year-old son was diagnosed with typhoid fever, yet none of the prescribed antibiotics worked. “We spent weeks going from one clinic to another, buying stronger and more expensive drugs, but his condition kept getting worse,” she recalls. Eventually, doctors at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital identified the real issue: Salmonella typhae had developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. “My son was lucky to survive,” she says, her voice trembling. “But what about those who don’t have access to the right doctors or medicine?”
Her story is just one of thousands across Nigeria, where AMR is silently pushing the country toward a public health catastrophe. Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of infectious diseases in Africa, yet the medicines designed to treat them are increasingly failing. Health experts have identified several key factors contributing to this crisis, including the widespread purchase of antibiotics over the counter without prescriptions and the common practice of stopping treatment too soon, allowing bacteria to develop resistance.
A 2022 study found that nearly 17 per cent of antibiotics in Nigeria are falsified or substandard, making them ineffective. Weak hygiene practices in healthcare facilities also enable the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, while farmers routinely administer antibiotics to livestock, accelerating resistance that spreads to humans through meat consumption.
The statistics are staggering. A recent study by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) estimates that over 20,000 deaths annually in Nigeria are linked to AMR-related infections. If left unaddressed, AMR could cost the country billions in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
At a private hospital in the FCT, infectious disease specialist Dr. Samuel Olutuche shared a heartbreaking case. “A newborn baby with sepsis was unresponsive to all first-line antibiotics. We had to use a last-resort drug that costs ten times more than standard treatment. Many families can’t afford this and we are losing patients unnecessarily. AMR is not just a medical crisis; it’s also an economic crisis,” he stresses.
A World Bank report warns that, by 2050, AMR could cause a 3.8 per cent decline in Nigeria’s GDP, pushing more families into poverty. Some Nigerian households already spend over ₦150,000 on medications that may not even work.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has been awarded Phase 2 of The Fleming Fund’s country grant to Nigeria. This phase builds on previous successes in improving AMR data quality and policy impact. Using a ‘One Health’ approach, the project aims to strengthen laboratory systems, data management and workforce capacity across human, animal and environmental health sectors.
Key priorities include generating high-quality AMR data, strengthening local institutions, improving antibiotic stewardship and sharing insights with policymakers. The Fleming Fund, the largest global development initiative in AMR surveillance, supports up to 25 countries, including Nigeria, in tackling this growing public health threat.
Although Chibuzor is not a Fleming Fund Fellow, he acknowledges the impact of improved surveillance efforts. “The ability to track resistance patterns is crucial. It helps us understand how bacteria are evolving and informs policies to curb the spread of AMR,” he says.
Despite international support, Nigeria continues to struggle with weak regulation, as fake and substandard antibiotics still flood the market. While the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down illegal drug factories, enforcement remains a challenge. Limited public awareness means many Nigerians remain unaware of the dangers of antibiotic misuse. Gaps in hospital diagnostics also pose a problem, as many hospitals lack the equipment to quickly detect resistant infections, delaying life-saving treatment.
Additionally, director-general of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris recently stressed the need for stronger policies. “We need stricter regulation of antibiotic sales, improved surveillance and more public awareness campaigns to combat this crisis,” he says.
While international funding plays an important role, grassroots initiatives are also making a difference. In Kaduna State, a community health program educates women about the dangers of self-medicating children with antibiotics. In Ogun State, a farmers’ cooperative is pioneering the use of probiotics and herbal alternatives instead of antibiotics in livestock feed. In Lagos, a group of pharmacists has launched a campaign urging Nigerians to complete their antibiotic prescriptions. Though small, these efforts are essential in changing behaviours and reducing resistance.
Similarly, a consultant clinical microbiologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mary Alex-Wele has called for stronger AMR surveillance through better lab capacity, data-sharing and real-time monitoring. As chair of Nigeria’s Core Group for Policy Briefs under WHO RADAAR’s EVIPNet, she stresses the importance of responsible antibiotic prescribing and public awareness to curb misuse.
She also urges increased investment in new antimicrobials, alternative therapies, and rapid diagnostics, alongside stricter regulations, infection prevention, and cross-sector collaboration. To effectively combat AMR, global health advocates emphasise the importance of collaboration between governments, researchers, and the private sector. They argue that stricter policies and enforcement measures are essential to prevent the overuse of antibiotics and the sale of counterfeit drugs. Furthermore, they stress the need for improved hospital infection control to ensure better hygiene in healthcare settings.
Continued surveillance and research play a crucial role in monitoring resistance patterns and adapting treatment guidelines accordingly. Public education campaigns must also raise awareness about the responsible use of antibiotics to curb misuse.
As Chibuzor steps out of the Karu abattoir, he reflects on the broader implications. “What happens here affects the entire country. If we don’t stop resistance at its source, whether in animals, hospitals, or pharmacies, we are setting ourselves up for a future where even minor infections become deadly.”
The fight against antimicrobial resistance is a race against time. Without urgent intervention, the very foundation of modern medicine is at risk. (News Agency of Nigeria)
