The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised the alarm over the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as a major public health and environmental crisis.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday during an interview, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, warned that AMR is endangering lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems across the country.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, develop resistance to medicines that were once effective in treating them.
Dr Idris said this development is making infections harder to treat, prolonging illness, increasing healthcare costs, and raising the risk of death.
“This is a serious threat not just to human health, but also to the environment and our planet as a whole. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture are fuelling the spread of drug-resistant infections,” he said.
He attributed the worsening situation in Nigeria to the easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions, poor infection prevention practices, and the unregulated use of antimicrobials in livestock and poultry without proper veterinary oversight.
Dr Idris emphasised the urgent need for responsible antimicrobial use across all sectors, saying: “We can only tackle AMR effectively if we all commit to using antibiotics responsibly.”
According to him, the Federal Government, through the NCDC and its partners, is ramping up efforts to strengthen surveillance systems, enforce existing regulations, and promote the “One Health” approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health.
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR is currently being updated to reflect a more coordinated, evidence-based, and globally aligned response.
The NCDC is also prioritising public awareness campaigns, laboratory improvements, antimicrobial stewardship, and better waste management practices as part of its comprehensive response to AMR.
Citing warnings from the World Health Organization, Dr Idris said: “If urgent steps are not taken, AMR could be responsible for up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.”
He also backed calls from health professionals for a ban on the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics and urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication.
“This is a collective fight. Every Nigerian has a role to play by using antibiotics only when prescribed and by following medical advice,” he added.
