Nigeria unites sectors to combat antimicrobial resistance ahead of 2026 conference

The Federal Government of Nigeria is uniting the health, agriculture, livestock, and environment sectors to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as it prepares to host the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR from December 6 to 8, 2026, in Abuja. This conference will gather ministers and stakeholders from over 100 countries to review progress and devise solutions to the AMR threat, which is linked to approximately 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide.

Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that AMR poses risks to agriculture, food security, and human health, urging coordinated action. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described AMR as a "silent pandemic" that complicates routine infections and increases healthcare costs.

The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, noted that AMR transcends sectoral boundaries, while the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, called for prioritizing human health in farming practices. The government aims to establish a One Health coordination mechanism and promote responsible antimicrobial use.