Nigeria is set to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2026 marking the first time the event will be held on the African continent.
The landmark conference comes at a crucial time, as antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to global health, food security, and sustainable development. AMR is currently linked to an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide.
“Building on the momentum from the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, the 2026 conference will translate political will into actionable strategies”. Said Prof. Pate.
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Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate who make the pronouncement during the Inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Planning of the 2026 High – level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, (AMR) said Nigeria is committed to leading the fight against AMR through coordinated action.
“This conference will strengthen accountability, secure sustainable funding, and promote effective innovations. We are proud to host the global community and showcase Africa’s leadership.” He stated.
The event will be co-led by Nigeria’s Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, and Livestock Development, underscoring a “One Health” approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized that AMR is not a distant threat but a current and escalating danger with serious consequences for food safety, public health, and the economy.
He noted that the health of animals and humans are inextricably linked, and the misuse of antibiotics in farming can undermine national food security and rural livelihoods.
In a united front with the Ministers of Health and Environment, the minister underscored the importance of the One Health approach, an integrated strategy recognizing the connection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
He stated that no single sector can tackle AMR alone and highlighted the multisectoral collaboration already underway through the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
This committee, he said, reflects a deliberate effort to ensure effective coordination and oversight in Nigeria’s AMR response.
The minister also announced the endorsement and deployment of key strategic documents to guide the fight against AMR in the livestock sector.
“These include the national guidelines for antimicrobial drug use in animals, the national antimicrobial stewardship strategy, the antimicrobial use strategy, and the national AMR surveillance strategy”.
“These frameworks are now active in the field and form part of the ministry’s broader plan to improve oversight, accountability, and practices across livestock and veterinary services.
Looking ahead, he described Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR as a historic opportunity to lead by example on the global stage.
“Despite being the newest federal ministry, the Livestock Development Ministry expressed its full readiness to take on the task, working closely with the Ministries of Health, Environment, and other stakeholders to ensure the conference becomes a catalyst for lasting impact and improved systems to combat AMR”. He added.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, represented by the Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs Omotunde Adeola emphasized the urgent need to integrate environmental considerations into AMR mitigation efforts.
Lawal highlighted how antimicrobial residues, often from untreated hospital and agricultural waste, as well as poor sanitation practices, are accelerating the resistance crisis in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
He stressed the importance of proper waste management and the integration of safe sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices into national AMR strategies, describing them as essential to preserving both human and environmental health.
Describing the upcoming 2026 Global Conference as timely, the Minister noted that it presents a vital opportunity to assess global progress on AMR, reinforce political commitment, and promote best practices.
He commended the Ministries of Health and Livestock Development for their collaboration under the One Health approach and called for stronger intersectoral coordination to safeguard future generations.
“We must work together to create solutions that safeguard health and the environment for future generations.” He added.
The Abuja conference Aims to shape global AMR strategies ahead of the 2026 UNGA High-Level Meeting. It will provide a platform for stakeholders to share innovations, scale up best practices, and renew commitments toward achieving AMR-related targets by 2030.
Ahead of the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, the Government of Nigeria has appointed Dr Ayoade Alakija, Board Chair of the global diagnostics non-profit, FIND, and WHO Special Envoy to the ACT-Accelerator as Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR.
The Global Envoy will also sit on the newly established Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), supporting Nigeria’s AMR efforts and helping to optimize the Ministerial Conference as a landmark moment for addressing AMR through expert insights and recommendations.