Antimicrobial Resistance, A Silent Killer In Nigeria

By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki

Health experts have moved to develop evidence-informed policies using a One-Health approach to tackle the growing concern of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria.

AMR has severe consequences and implications for human health, animals, and the environment.

According to a policy brief prepared by the African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems at David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences in Uburu, Ebonyi State, in conjunction with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) and the Evidence to Policy Network (EVIPNet) of the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has the 20th highest age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 people caused by AMR across 204 countries.

The policy brief noted that over 263,400 deaths were associated with AMR in 2019 and highlighted the consequences of inaction as follows: increased morbidity and mortality rates; increased economic burden; increased risk of complications; reduced effectiveness of antibiotics; environmental degradation, global health and food insecurity.

A Multi-Stakeholders Policy Dialogue event was held on August 7, 2025, at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, attended by critical stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Environment, Agriculture, National Assembly, WHO, FLI, and others.

The representative of FLI Germany, Dr Francis Nuvey, expressed the delight of FLI to partner with African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems in the use of One-Health approach to address the problem of AMR in Nigeria.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Prof. Jesse Uneke, stated that the purpose of developing health policies is to address health problems, strengthen existing policies, and change non-performing policies to address emerging health challenges.

He emphasized that AMR is a silent killer in Nigeria.

Prof. Uneke further explained that a policy brief is a concise document that presents research findings and serves as a valuable communication tool, potentially improving the chances that policymakers will read, consider, and apply evidence when making policy decisions.

He highlighted the importance of using research evidence in policy-making to save lives through more effective policies that respond to scientific and technological advancements.

The presentation covered key topics, including the preparation of policy briefs, effective policy brief ingredients, policy dialogue, and its importance.

In his speech, a health policy expert Dr Onyedikachi Chukwu, presented his finding of a systematic review of information on AMR in Nigeria, indicating that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics are among the main driving forces in the development of drug-resistant pathogens.

He further noted that studies showed that up to 42% of adults are not completing their dosage and about 47–71% of children are given antibiotics without a prescription.

“In order to address the challenges of AMR in Nigeria, participants supported the implementation of four strategies outlined in the policy brief as follows: (1). Implementation of behavioural-change interventions to enhance awareness and reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) among human health, animal health, and livestock agriculture stakeholders. (2). Institutionalization of antimicrobial stewardship programmes including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) interventions.

“(3). Implementation of integrated AMR surveillance systems in human health, animal health, and environment by facilitating collection of laboratory, pharmacologic, and clinical data.

“(4). Promoting multisectoral structures to combat AMR by improving coordination and collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors of human, animal and environmental health,” he said.

The event featured goodwill messages, group discussions, presentations of key messages, and general discussions on actionable solutions.