By Chibuzor Alli
The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance by coordinating the health, agriculture, livestock and environment sectors, warning that drug-resistant infections threaten human lives, food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
The move comes as Nigeria prepares to host the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026. The meeting is expected to bring together ministers and stakeholders from more than 100 countries to assess progress and develop responses to the growing global threat.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms no longer respond to medicines designed to eliminate them or control the infections they cause. It is associated with an estimated 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Iwendi Odunola, said the threat extended beyond hospitals to farms, food production and the wider environment.
“Antimicrobial resistance is not only a human health challenge; it is also a significant threat to agriculture and food security,” she said, adding that coordinated action was essential to safeguarding food systems and strengthening national resilience.
Drug resistance threatens food production and livelihoods
Odunola explained that the inappropriate or excessive use of antimicrobials accelerates resistance, weakens disease control and can reduce agricultural productivity.
She warned that the problem could also compromise food safety, disrupt trade and threaten the livelihoods of farmers who depend on healthy crops and livestock for their income.
The four ministries are working together because resistant microorganisms can spread across people, animals, food systems and the environment.
Their priorities include promoting responsible antimicrobial use, strengthening food safety systems, improving agricultural extension services, reinforcing biosecurity and expanding Integrated Pest Management.
The approach is intended to address the problem across interconnected sectors rather than treating it solely as a healthcare issue.
Government targets misuse of antibiotics
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described antimicrobial resistance as a “silent pandemic” that kills quietly.
He warned that when antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines stop working effectively, routine infections can become more dangerous, while surgery and childbirth carry greater risks. Drug resistance can also increase healthcare costs by making infections more difficult to treat.
Pate urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication and follow their doctors’ prescriptions, highlighting the importance of responsible medicine use in slowing the development and spread of resistance.
Abuja conference expected to produce new commitments
The December conference is expected to provide a platform for countries to review their progress against antimicrobial resistance and agree on further measures.
According to Pate, the meeting is expected to adopt the Abuja Compact on AMR, which is intended to support coordinated action against the threat.
The planned outcome comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen cooperation among government agencies and sustain efforts beyond the international gathering.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said AMR crossed sectoral boundaries through people, animals, farms, food, water, soil and waste.
He said the four ministries would establish a joint One Health coordination mechanism that would continue beyond the conference.
Lawal added that the government would promote responsible antimicrobial use in hospitals, farms and animal production, while improving safe waste disposal and water management.
He also said Nigeria would publicly report its progress and support follow-up actions under the Abuja Compact through the Troika mechanism.
The environment minister stressed that sanitation, personal hygiene and community hygiene were essential to preventing infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatment.
Livestock farmers urged to use antibiotics responsibly
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Abdukareem Durosunlorun, urged farmers to prioritise human health when using veterinary medicines.
He advised livestock producers to administer antibiotics only on prescription and observe withdrawal periods before marketing animal products.
Withdrawal periods allow time for veterinary medicines to fall to permitted levels in meat, milk and other animal products before they enter the food supply.
The government’s message is that tackling antimicrobial resistance requires action from healthcare professionals, farmers, livestock producers, public institutions and the wider public.
As Nigeria prepares to host the global conference, the key test will be whether commitments made in Abuja translate into sustained improvements in medicine use, infection prevention, food safety and environmental management.
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