Nigeria to Host First African Conference on AMR Strategies

Nigeria is set to host the first African Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Conference, aimed at bringing together ministers and stakeholders from over 100 countries to assess progress and develop strategies against antimicrobial resistance. Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the need for coordinated action across human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment.

He warned that ineffective antibiotics make common infections harder to treat and complicate medical procedures. The conference will adopt a One Health approach, involving multiple ministries to address AMR.

Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors, while Idi Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, urged responsible antibiotic use among farmers. Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, noted that AMR threatens agriculture and food security.

The conference aims to establish a joint coordination mechanism and promote responsible antimicrobial use.