Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is surging in Nigeria, placing the country among the worst-hit globally, with experts raising urgent concerns over its devastating impact.
Currently responsible for 4.95 million deaths worldwide, AMR directly causes 1.27 million fatalities annually. If left unchecked, projections indicate it could result in 10 million deaths per year by 2050. In Nigeria alone, AMR claims 263,400 lives annually, with 64,500 directly linked to drug-resistant infections.
Speaking at a training on AMR advocacy and media reporting, Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, a Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Senior Lecturer, warned that Nigeria faces an impending post-antibiotic era, where common infections could become untreatable.
She highlighted that AMR-related economic losses could reach $100 trillion globally, with severe consequences for healthcare, food production, and livestock.
The training, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under the Fleming Fund Country Grant Phase II, emphasized the urgent need for stronger policies, increased research funding, and public awareness.
Dr. Chavan Laxmikant, Technical Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, stressed that AMR is not a distant threat but an immediate crisis.
He called for coordinated efforts across governments, industries, and communities to combat the growing resistance.
Health data now ranks AMR as one of Nigeria’s leading causes of death, surpassing fatalities from respiratory and enteric infections, maternal and neonatal disorders, and neglected tropical diseases.
Experts warn that without immediate action, the consequences could be catastrophic, affecting medical treatments, surgical procedures, and agricultural productivity.
To address the crisis, Nigeria has launched its second National Action Plan (NAP 2.0), designed to guide AMR mitigation efforts until 2028.
The plan focuses on strengthening surveillance, promoting responsible antibiotic use, enhancing infection prevention, investing in alternative treatments, and improving public education.
As AMR continues to claim lives and strain the healthcare system, experts emphasize that the fight against drug resistance is a collective responsibility.
Without sustained action, Nigeria risks facing a full-scale health emergency with devastating consequences for future generations.
