At the busy Karu abattoir in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), veterinarian and researcher Dr. Matthew Chibuzor is diligently gathering samples from freshly slaughtered cattle. His work is critical, he is tracking the hidden spread of drug-resistant bacteria from animals to humans. His results are concerning. “We are detecting multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella and E. coli in both the meat and the workers handling it. “These bacteria don’t remain here; they enter kitchens, hospitals, and eventually the bloodstream of patients who can no longer be treated with standard antibiotics,” Chibuzor explained.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a rising global threat, reducing the effectiveness of treatments for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In 2019, AMR was responsible for 1.27 million deaths worldwide.
If not addressed, this number could reach 10 million deaths each year by 2050. Countries like Nigeria, which already struggle with poor healthcare systems, limited monitoring, and high disease rates, will face the worst impacts. For 29-year-old Mrs. Mary Goma, this issue is personal. Her six-year-old son was diagnosed with typhoid fever, but none of the antibiotics worked. “We spent weeks visiting different clinics and buying stronger, more expensive medications, but his health continued to decline,” Goma remembered. At Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, a doctor finally realised that the real issue was that Salmonella typhi had developed resistance to standard antibiotics. She shook her voice and added, “My son was lucky to live.” “But what about people who are unable to get the proper meds or doctors?” Her experience is just one of many in Nigeria, where AMR is quietly leading the country toward a public health crisis.
Nigeria faces one of the most significant challenges with infectious diseases in Africa, yet the treatments available are increasingly proving ineffective. Health experts have pinpointed several critical issues, with the rampant sale of antibiotics without prescriptions being a major concern. Many Nigerians tend to discontinue their antibiotic courses prematurely, which fosters the development of resistant bacteria. A 2022 study revealed that nearly 17% of antibiotics in Nigeria are either counterfeit or of poor quality, rendering them useless. Additionally, inadequate hygiene practices in healthcare settings contribute to the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria. In agriculture, farmers frequently administer antibiotics to livestock, which accelerates resistance that can be transmitted to humans through meat consumption. The statistics are alarming. A recent report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) estimates that over 20,000 deaths each year in Nigeria are attributable to infections related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The NCDC warns that if this issue remains unaddressed, it could cost the nation billions in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Dr. Samuel Olutuche, an infectious disease specialist at a private hospital in the FCT, recounted a tragic case: “A newborn baby with sepsis did not respond to any first-line antibiotics. We had to resort to a last-line treatment that is ten times more expensive than standard options. Many families cannot afford this, leading to unnecessary patient loss. AMR is not merely a health crisis; it is an economic one,” he emphasized. A World Bank report cautions that by 2050, AMR could result in a 3.8% decline in Nigeria’s GDP, pushing more families into poverty. Some households are already spending over ₦150,000 on medications that may not even be effective. Recognizing the critical nature of this issue, Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has been awarded Phase 2 of The Fleming Fund’s Country Grant to Nigeria. This phase aims to build on previous achievements in enhancing AMR data quality and influencing policy.
The project employs a ‘One Health’ strategy to enhance laboratory systems, data management, and workforce capabilities across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Producing high-quality AMR data, bolstering local institutions, enhancing antibiotic stewardship, and providing insight to policymakers with information are among the main priorities.
The Fleming Fund, the largest global initiative for AMR surveillance, assists up to 25 countries, including Nigeria, in addressing this escalating public health issue. While Chibuzor is not a Fleming Fund Fellow, he recognizes the significance of improved surveillance efforts.
“Tracking resistance patterns is essential. It allows us to understand bacterial evolution and shapes policies to mitigate the spread of AMR,” he stated. Despite international assistance, Nigeria faces ongoing challenges with weak regulations, as counterfeit and substandard antibiotics continue to permeate the market. Although the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed down illegal drug manufacturing sites, enforcement remains problematic. A lack of public awareness leaves many Nigerians uninformed about the risks associated with antibiotic misuse. Furthermore, deficiencies in hospital diagnostics are an issue, as numerous hospitals lack the necessary equipment to swiftly identify resistant infections, which delays critical treatment. Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of NCDC, recently emphasized the necessity for more robust policies.
Stricter regulations on antibiotic sales, enhanced surveillance, and increased public awareness campaigns are crucial to addressing this urgent crisis, according to Idris. While international funding is vital, grassroots efforts are also making significant strides.
For example, in Kaduna state, a community health initiative is teaching women about the risks of self-medicating their children with antibiotics. In Ogun, a farmers’ cooperative is leading the way by incorporating probiotics and herbal alternatives into livestock feed instead of relying on antibiotics. In Lagos, a coalition of pharmacists has initiated a campaign encouraging Nigerians to complete their antibiotic courses. Though these initiatives may seem small, they are pivotal in shifting behaviors and mitigating resistance. Similarly, Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, a Consultant Clinical Microbiologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, has advocated for enhanced AMR surveillance through improved laboratory capabilities, data-sharing, and real-time monitoring. As Chair of Nigeria’s Core Group for Policy Briefs under WHO RADAAR’s EVIPNet, she emphasized the need for responsible antibiotic prescribing and public education to prevent misuse. She also called for increased investment in new antimicrobials, alternative therapies, and rapid diagnostics, along with stricter regulations, infection prevention measures, and cross-sector collaboration.
To effectively tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), global health advocates highlight the necessity of collaboration among governments, researchers, and the private sector. They assert that stringent policies and enforcement are essential to curtail the overuse of antibiotics and combat the sale of counterfeit medications. Also, there should be enlightenment on the importance of improved infection control in hospitals to ensure better hygiene in healthcare environments. Ongoing surveillance and research are also critical for monitoring resistance trends and adapting treatment protocols accordingly. Concurrently, public education campaigns must focus on promoting responsible antibiotic use to combat this pressing issue.
Source: Racheal Abujah, News Agency of Nigeria(NAN),
