Nigeria is set to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) from December 6th to 8th, 2026, in Abuja, 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,” will bring together ministers, policymakers, scientists, development partners and stakeholders from more than 100 countries to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will focus on translating global commitments into practical actions across the human health, agriculture, livestock and environmental sectors.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines designed to treat infections. The growing threat poses significant risks to public health, food security and sustainable development worldwide.
Globally, AMR is estimated to be directly responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually and associated with nearly five million deaths, making it a major public health concern that requires coordinated international action.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministers’ Conference Room of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday, October 12th, 2026, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, described AMR as a “silent pandemic” requiring urgent and coordinated action across multiple sectors.
Pate stressed that the challenge could not be addressed by the health sector alone, explaining that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines in human healthcare, livestock production, agriculture and other settings contribute to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
He warned that AMR could render previously treatable infections life-threatening, increase healthcare costs and make routine medical procedures, surgeries and childbirth more dangerous.
The Coordinating Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to translating existing international agreements into practical interventions, including the 2024 United Nations Political Declaration on AMR, the Muscat Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments.
He explained that the Abuja conference was expected to culminate in the adoption of the Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, which would establish a framework for implementing measurable, practical and accountable actions to address the challenge.
Pate further emphasised that Nigeria’s response was anchored on the One Health approach, which recognises the close relationship between human, animal and environmental health.
He urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication with antibiotics and to use antimicrobial medicines only as prescribed by qualified health professionals.
The 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 expressed their commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government to ensure its success.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, highlighted the importance of responsible antibiotic use, describing it as a shared responsibility that begins with individual actions.
He cautioned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics to treat ailments such as coughs, noting that not every infection requires antibiotic treatment.
Salako urged Nigerians to follow medical prescriptions and avoid stopping prescribed treatment prematurely without appropriate medical advice, even when symptoms begin to improve.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said AMR transcended sectoral and geographical boundaries, spreading among humans and animals and through food systems, water, soil and waste.
He maintained that no single ministry or institution could effectively tackle the challenge in isolation, stressing the need for sustained interministerial cooperation and collective responsibility.
Lawal outlined four priority areas for coordinated action by the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development and Environment.
These include strengthening whole-of-government coordination through a joint One Health mechanism that would sustain collaboration beyond the conference; translating international commitments into local action through responsible antimicrobial use in hospitals and farms, improved waste management, water safety and environmental protection; promoting inclusive stakeholder engagement involving governments, scientists, civil society organisations, young people, private-sector operators and local communities and ensuring accountability through public reporting and follow-up on the implementation of the Abuja Compact under the Troika mechanism.
The environment minister also emphasised the importance of sanitation, environmental cleanliness and personal and community hygiene in preventing infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatment.
Representing the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Director in the Department of Quality Assurance and Certification, Dr. Abdulkareem Durosunlorun, called for stronger farmer education and responsible antimicrobial use throughout Nigeria’s livestock value chain.
He cautioned livestock and poultry farmers against prioritising commercial interests over public health, noting that inappropriate antibiotic use in animal production could accelerate antimicrobial resistance and threaten the safety of animal-source foods.
Durosunlorun urged farmers to administer antibiotics only under appropriate veterinary prescription and supervision, while observing the recommended withdrawal periods before animals or their products were presented for human consumption.
He also highlighted the need for improved farm biosecurity, disease prevention, veterinary oversight and sustained awareness campaigns to reduce unnecessary reliance on antimicrobial medicines.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated the importance of integrating animal health into Nigeria’s national AMR response, noting that responsible veterinary practices and stronger collaboration among farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders were essential to protecting 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.
Abdullahi noted that the conference theme underscored the 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 responsible antimicrobial and agrochemical use, 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 critical to protecting crops, livestock, consumers and the environment while supporting resilient agricultural systems.
The conference will be co-led by the four ministries and hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Its programme is expected to include a Non-State Actors Day, ministerial sessions on implementation, high-impact interventions and governance, as well as a closed-door ministerial roundtable.
The gathering is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance and the handover of the conference presidency to Brazil, which is scheduled to host the sixth edition in 2028.
Nigeria’s hosting of the conference presents an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise political commitment and advance practical solutions to one of the world’s most pressing public health and development challenges.
Through a coordinated One Health approach, the Federal Government is seeking to strengthen efforts to protect human and animal health, promote food safety, safeguard the environment and ensure the responsible use of antimicrobial medicines for present and future generations.
