Nigeria Leads Global Fight Against AMR Before 2026 World Meeting
Nigeria is the first African country to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This big meeting will happen in Abuja in June 2026. It shows Nigeria is serious about health and leading Africa in this fight.
Nigeria Leads Africa in the Fight Against AMR
On July 1, 2025, Nigeria started a National Planning Committee to organise the 2026 AMR conference. The Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, led the launch. Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is co-chair.
Other important members come from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and partners like WHO, FAO, and the UN Environment Programme.
Why the 2026 AMR Meeting Is Important
AMR is when bacteria, viruses, and other germs become resistant, so the usual medicines do not work on them again. This makes infections hard to treat. If nothing is done, AMR could cause 10 million deaths every year by 2050.
Nigeria hosting this meeting shows it wants to fight AMR well. The country also supports the One Health idea, which means working together on human, animal, and environmental health.
About the AMR Global Meeting
This meeting helps countries promise to slow down AMR and protect health worldwide. Past meetings were held in:
- The Netherlands (2014)
- Oman (2020)
- Saudi Arabia (2022)
- Ghana (co-hosted)
Theme for 2026 Meeting
The theme is “Working Together to Save Medicines.” This means Nigeria wants different sectors to join hands and work long-term to fight AMR, especially in developing countries.
Important Dates and People for the 2026 AMR Conference
The big AMR meeting will happen on June 29 and 30, 2026, in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. This is the first time Africa will host this important global health event.
The meeting will be led by important people like Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. He will help make sure Nigeria does a good job hosting the conference.
Another key person will be Dr. Ayoade Alakija, the WHO Special Envoy on AMR for Africa. She will be working with Nigeria and other countries to fight AMR across the continent.
Many government ministries will be working together for this meeting. These include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Livestock. They follow the One Health approach, meaning they work as one team to stop AMR in people, animals, and the environment.
How Big Is the AMR Problem in Nigeria?
In 2019, over 263,400 people died in Nigeria because of AMR infections. This number is more than deaths from malaria, chest infections, or heart disease that year. Nigeria is ranked 20th out of 204 countries for AMR deaths.
Main causes are:
- Using too many antibiotics in people and even animals
- Poor hygiene and sanitation
- Weak control of drug sales and use
- Not testing properly before giving drugs
Nigeria’s Plan to Fight AMR
Nigeria follows the World Health Organization’s plan with five main points:
1. Teach people about AMR
2. Collect data and watch infections
3. Improve hygiene and sanitation
4. Use antibiotics safely in hospitals and farms
5. Get long-term money and work together across sectors
One Health Approach
Nigeria uses One Health, where human health, animal health, and the environment work together to stop AMR. Ministries of Health, Livestock, and Environment all join in one plan.
What Will Happen If We Don’t Act?
If we don’t fight AMR now, by 2050:
- 10 million people could die every year
- The world could lose over $100 trillion
- Health systems in poor countries might collapse
- Common surgeries and childbirth could become very risky
New Ideas and Research
Experts are trying new ways like:
- Using viruses that kill bacteria (phage therapy) - Using computers to predict resistance
- Using fewer antibiotics in farming
- Making new antibiotics like Zosurabalpin and also Debio 1453M
- Using fewer antibiotics in farming
- Making new antibiotics like Zosurabalpin and also Debio 1453M
But even new medicines will stop working if we don’t use them carefully.
Nigeria hosting the 2026 AMR meeting is like a big step for Africa and the world. It shows Nigeria’s strong will to fight AMR and protect the health of all people.
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Source: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Press Releases