Abuja: Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a non-governmental organization, has kicked off a grassroots sensitisation campaign aimed at addressing the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria. The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, MSH’s Animal Health Advisor, Dr. Ibrahim Dauda, announced in an interview that the initiative began in January and involves collaboration with the Fleming Fund Country Grant II and other partners. The campaign is being implemented in Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Kano, and Kwara States.
The campaign has united 200 poultry and fish value chain operators, providing them with training on the responsible use of antimicrobials, biosecurity practices, vaccination strategies, and surveillance reporting. Dr. Dauda noted that these participants are being empowered to serve as AMR ambassadors, tasked with disseminating the knowledge acquired to their respective communities.
Dr. Dauda emphasized that the campaign is interactive, allowing for experience sharing and data collection to identify knowledge gaps, particularly concerning the misuse of antimicrobials. He highlighted that many participants were previously unaware of the long-term risks associated with indiscriminate antibiotic use.
He pointed out that the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture is a significant contributor to AMR in Nigeria, as many farmers administer antibiotics without veterinary guidance, endangering both animal and human health. To further spread awareness, specially developed jingles in local languages will be broadcast on radio and social media platforms, while WhatsApp groups and community engagement efforts will promote ongoing dialogue among stakeholders.
The advisor remarked that as Nigeria prepares to host the 2026 Global AMR Conference, this localised initiative underscores the country’s readiness to set an example in combating a global health crisis. Dr. Dauda stressed that AMR is not only a scientific issue but also a behavioral and communication challenge.
He added that the campaign represents a critical step in Nigeria’s strategy to contain AMR, focusing on education, policy advocacy, and sustained public engagement. Hosting high-level meetings signifies a historic milestone for the country, showcasing its emerging leadership in the global battle against AMR.
AMR remains one of the most urgent global health and development threats, causing over 1.3 million deaths annually, weakening health systems, and threatening food security worldwide, according to Dr. Dauda. In Nigeria, AMR was responsible for over 263,000 deaths in 2019, exceeding fatalities from malaria and tuberculosis.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to the medicines used to treat them, making infections more challenging or impossible to cure. Key contributors to AMR include the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, inadequate infection control, weak enforcement of regulations, and public misuse of drugs. Combating AMR necessitates a One Health approach, engaging human health, veterinary, agriculture, and environmental sectors, particularly the private sector, which provides over 60 percent of health services in Nigeria.