- antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a fast-rising threat that weakens the effectiveness of vital medicine
- Federal Ministry of Environment said it remains committed to expanding wastewater monitoring
- He raised concerns over projections indicating that AMR could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050
The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerians, particularly health professionals, to stop the misuse and indiscriminate application of antibiotics in humans, animals, and crops.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the warning was issued in Abuja during the flag-off of the 2025 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), themed “Act Now, Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”
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Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a fast-rising threat that weakens the effectiveness of vital medicines across sectors.
Maiha explained that AMR develops when disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to treatments previously known to work, making infections harder and sometimes impossible to cure.
He raised concerns over projections indicating that AMR could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050, with Africa projected to bear nearly four million of those deaths if urgent actions are not taken.
The Minister urged clinicians, veterinarians, and practitioners in food production to use antimicrobials responsibly, stressing that reckless usage endangers public health, food systems, and the economy.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku represented by Dr. Patience Tomoh said AMR is a One Health challenge requiring bold, united, and immediate action across sectors.
In her remarks, the representative of the NCDC Director-General, Dr Nasir Ahmed, called for stronger surveillance and closer collaboration to protect the country from worsening drug-resistant infections.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Environment said it remains committed to expanding wastewater monitoring, environmental surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship across communities.
Development partners, including FAO, WHO, Fleming Fund, MSH, DRASA, and several veterinary associations, also pledged support during the event.
The week-long awareness campaign will run until November 24, with sensitisation programmes scheduled across Abuja and selected states.
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