- Recognising that surveillance alone cannot curb resistance, NIMR has also prioritised antimicrobial stewardship.
- Dr Chukwu emphasised that antimicrobial resistance poses not only a clinical challenge
- She reiterated the importance of sustained investment and multisectoral collaboration.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing the growing threat as one of the most serious public health challenges facing Nigeria.
Speaking at the NIMR Media Chat held on February 23, 2026, Eko Hot Blog reports that Senior Research Scientist and Medical Microbiologist, Dr Emelda Chukwu, outlined the institute’s research-driven efforts to strengthen surveillance, improve antibiotic stewardship and enhance national preparedness against drug-resistant infections.
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Dr. Chukwu, who works at NIMR’s Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, said AMR continues to endanger healthcare delivery in Nigeria, where infectious diseases account for a significant share of illness and death.
She explained that resistant organisms do not emerge in isolation but circulate across humans, animals and the environment, making a coordinated “One Health” approach essential.
“With rising levels of antimicrobial resistance, we must integrate laboratory science, epidemiology, environmental monitoring and public engagement to effectively respond to this threat,” she said.
Sentinel Surveillance in Lagos
A key component of NIMR’s strategy has been the establishment of laboratory-based AMR surveillance through sentinel sites in Lagos State.
According to Dr Chukwu, structured assessments carried out across four healthcare facilities revealed high resistance rates to third-generation cephalosporins critical class of antibiotics widely used in hospitals.
The findings underscored the need for routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing and standardised monitoring systems, particularly in settings with limited diagnostic infrastructure.
Through the sentinel network, researchers have been able to identify risk factors driving resistance trends, analyse genetic variations in circulating bacterial strains, and support hospitals in developing antibiograms to guide empirical treatment.
The data generated also provides baseline evidence to support Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR (NAP 2.0), to which Dr Chukwu contributed as a member of the technical working group.
Wastewater Surveillance as an Early Warning Tool
Beyond healthcare facilities, NIMR has expanded its AMR monitoring to include environmental surveillance. Using intramural research funding, the team studied pathogens circulating in wastewater canals in Lagos.
The initiative assessed wastewater samples for SARS-CoV-2 and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, providing early signals of COVID-19 transmission trends within communities. The research also detected Vibrio cholerae O1 across nine local government areas, prompting a policy advisory to the Lagos State Government over potential cholera risks.
Dr Chukwu described wastewater surveillance as a cost-effective and forward-looking strategy for epidemic intelligence, particularly in densely populated urban centres.
“This approach strengthens preparedness for outbreak-prone pathogens and reinforces the One Health model by linking environmental data to human health outcomes,” she said.
Promoting Responsible Antibiotic Use
Recognising that surveillance alone cannot curb resistance, NIMR has also prioritised antimicrobial stewardship. Nationwide baseline studies conducted by the institute assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers and the public regarding antibiotic use.
The findings revealed significant gaps in prescribing behaviours and limited public understanding of proper antibiotic use, prompting the design of targeted antimicrobial stewardship programmes in healthcare facilities across the country.
Through training workshops, professional development initiatives and public awareness campaigns, including activities during World AMR Awareness Week, NIMR has supported hospitals in improving patient safety and rational antibiotic use.
National Health Security at Stake
DrChukwu emphasised that antimicrobial resistance poses not only a clinical challenge but also a broader national development concern.
By translating research findings into policy recommendations and strengthening surveillance systems, NIMR aims to reinforce Nigeria’s health security architecture.
She reiterated the importance of sustained investment, multisectoral collaboration and evidence-based policymaking to combat the growing threat of drug resistance.
As Nigeria continues to implement its National Action Plan on AMR, NIMR says its integrated approach, combining laboratory science, environmental monitoring, stewardship programmes and public engagement, positions the institute at the forefront of efforts to safeguard public health against emerging resistance threats.
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