Nigeria is getting set to make history as it prepares to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Press Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), marking the first time the global gathering will take place on African soil.
The conference, themed “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitment Through Local Action,” is scheduled to hold from December 6 to 8, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
It will bring together ministers, policymakers, scientists, development partners and stakeholders from the human health, agriculture, livestock and environmental sectors across more than 100 countries to review progress and strengthen global efforts to combat AMR.
Antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines, poses a major threat to public health, food security and sustainable development.
It is estimated to be directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually worldwide and associated with nearly five million deaths.
This disclosure was made at a press briefing held at the Ministers’ Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday, October 12, 2026, where the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described AMR as a “silent pandemic” that requires urgent, coordinated action across multiple sectors.
He emphasised that the challenge cannot be addressed by the health sector alone, noting that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, livestock production, agriculture and other settings contribute to the emergence and spread of resistance.
According to him, the consequences are far-reaching, as infections that were once easily treatable may become life-threatening, while routine medical procedures, surgery and childbirth become riskier and the cost of healthcare increases for individuals and families.
The Coordinating Minister expressed Nigeria’s commitment to translating existing global agreements into concrete action, including the 2024 United Nations Political Declaration on AMR, the Muscat Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments.
He noted that, the Abuja conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, which will provide a framework for advancing commitments through practical, measurable and accountable actions.
Prof. Pate further stressed that Nigeria’s response is anchored on the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.
He urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication with antibiotics and to use antimicrobial medicines strictly as prescribed by qualified health professionals.
The press briefing attracted representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Also in attendance was Prof. Aliko Ahmed, Senior Adviser and Special Regional Representative of the Director-General for the West Africa Region of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The international partners reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s hosting of the conference and pledged active collaboration towards its successful hosting of the Conference.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, underscored the importance of responsible antibiotic use, describing it as a shared responsibility that begins with individual choices.
He cautioned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for ailments such as coughs and urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to medical prescriptions rather than discontinue treatment when symptoms improve.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, observed that AMR transcends sectoral and geographical boundaries, spreading between humans and animals and through food systems, water, soil and waste.
He maintained that no single Ministry or institution could effectively address the challenge in isolation, stressing the need for sustained interministerial cooperation and collective responsibility.
The Minister outlined four key commitments by the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, and Environment:
Strengthening Whole-of-Government Coordination: Establishing and sustaining a joint One Health coordination mechanism beyond the conference to ensure continued collaboration among the relevant sectors.
-Translating Commitments into Local Action: Promoting responsible antimicrobial use in hospitals, farms and animal production systems, alongside improved waste management, water safety and environmental protection.
– Promoting Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring that governments, scientists, civil society organisations, young people, private-sector actors and local communities contribute meaningfully to the AMR response.
– Ensuring Accountability and Follow-up: Reporting publicly on Nigeria’s progress and supporting the implementation of the Abuja Compact through the Troika mechanism.
Malam Lawal further highlighted the importance of environmental cleanliness, improved sanitation and personal and community hygiene in preventing infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatment.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Director in the Department of Quality Assurance and Certification , Dr. Abdulkareem Durosunlorun, emphasised the need to strengthen farmer education and promote responsible antimicrobial use across Nigeria’s livestock value chain.
He cautioned livestock and poultry farmers against placing commercial interests above public health, stressing that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal production could contribute to antimicrobial resistance and threaten the safety of animal-source foods.
Dr. Durosunlorun urged, farmers to administer antibiotics only under appropriate veterinary prescription and supervision, while strictly observing prescribed withdrawal periods before animals or their products are presented for human consumption.
He also underscored the importance of improved farm biosecurity, disease prevention, veterinary oversight and sustained awareness campaigns to reduce unnecessary dependence on antimicrobial medicines.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated the importance of integrating animal health into Nigeria’s national AMR response, noting that effective disease prevention, responsible veterinary practices and stronger collaboration among farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders are essential to safeguarding public health and sustaining livestock productivity.
In his welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Mrs. Iwendi Grace Odunola, described AMR as both a public health challenge and a growing threat to agriculture and food security.
He explained that although antimicrobials play important roles in protecting human, animal and plant health, their inappropriate or excessive use accelerates resistance, weakens disease control, reduces agricultural productivity, compromises food safety, disrupts trade and threatens farmers’ livelihoods.
The Minister of State noted that , the conference theme highlights the urgent need to translate international commitments into practical and measurable interventions that protect human health, agricultural production, food systems and the environment.
He identified the Ministry’s priorities as promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials and agrochemicals, strengthening food safety systems, expanding agricultural extension services and educating farmers on good agricultural practices, biosecurity and Integrated Pest Management.
He added that , sustainable alternatives and improved production practices would be essential to protecting crops, livestock, consumers and the environment while supporting resilient agricultural systems.
The conference, would be co-led by the four ministries and hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and is expected to feature a Non-State Actors Day, ministerial sessions on implementation, high-impact interventions and governance, as well as a closed-door ministerial roundtable.
The gathering will culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact on AMR and the handover of the conference presidency to Brazil, host of the sixth edition scheduled for 2028.
Nigeria’s hosting of the conference represents a significant opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise political commitment and advance practical solutions to one of the most pressing global health and development challenges.
Through a coordinated One Health approach, the Federal Government is reaffirming its commitment to protecting human and animal health, promoting food safety, safeguarding the environment and ensuring the responsible use of antimicrobials for present and future generations.