By Mary Izuaka

 

Nigeria will make history in December as it hosts the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the first time the global gathering will be held on African soil.

The federal government said the conference, themed “One Health – Advancing Global AMR Commitments through Local Action,” is scheduled for 6 to 8 December at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and will bring together ministers and stakeholders in health, agriculture and environment from over 100 countries to review progress and develop practical solutions to combat AMR, a crisis linked to an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described AMR as a “silent pandemic” that kills quietly.

Mr Pate said the threat requires a combined attack across human health, animal health, agriculture and the environment, warning that when antibiotics stop working, routine infections become dangerous and surgery and childbirth carry greater risk.

He said Nigeria is proud to host the 5th edition to deliver on global promises already made – the 2024 UN Political Declaration on AMR, the Muscat Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments – adding that the Abuja conference is billed to adopt the Abuja Compact on AMR.

The minister said Nigeria’s approach goes beyond healthcare, adopting a One Health strategy that brings together health, agriculture, livestock and environment.

He warned against indiscriminate use of antibiotics and urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication and complete their prescriptions.

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said resistance does not respect boundaries between sectors as it moves from people to animals, from farms to food, and through water, soil and waste; hence, no single ministry can win the fight alone.

Mr Lawal said the four ministries – Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, and Environment – are committing to act as one government through a joint One Health coordination mechanism that will outlast the conference.

He listed other commitments to include delivering local action in every sector, hosting an inclusive conference that gives voice to governments, scientists, civil society, youth and the private sector, and being accountable by reporting publicly on Nigeria’s progress.

The minister stressed that a clean environment, improved sanitation and hygiene are critical to preventing infections that drive the need for antibiotics.

On his part, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Abdukareem Durosunlorun, stressed the need for farmer education, warning farmers not to prioritise profit over human health.

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He urged poultry and livestock farmers to use antibiotics only on prescription and to strictly observe withdrawal periods before taking their products to the market.

In his welcome remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, represented by the Director, Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Grace Iwendi, said AMR is not only a human health challenge but a significant threat to agriculture and food security.

Mr Abdullahi noted that while antimicrobials are used to protect human, animal and plant health, their inappropriate or excessive use accelerates resistance, undermines disease control, reduces agricultural productivity and threatens farmers’ livelihoods.

He said the ministry’s priorities include promoting responsible use of antimicrobials, strengthening food safety systems and educating farmers on good agricultural practices and biosecurity.

The meeting, to be co-led by the four ministries and hosted by President Bola Tinubu, will feature Non-State Actors Day, ministerial sessions and a closed-door ministerial roundtable culminating in the adoption of the Abuja Compact and handover of the presidency to Brazil as host of the 6th meeting in 2028.