Nigeria: AMR - Nigeria Admits Gaps in Tracking Drug-Resistant Infections

Nigeria has acknowledged gaps in tracking drug-resistant infections, according to Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. During a joint One Health ministerial briefing ahead of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, Pate stated that while there is evidence of antimicrobial resistance in Nigerian hospitals, surveillance gaps make it difficult to produce accurate national estimates.

The conference, set to take place in Abuja from December 6-8, 2026, aims to advance global AMR commitments to local action. Pate emphasized that Nigeria's figures may not reflect the same burden of drug-resistant infections as countries with stronger surveillance systems. The country's One Health Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan 2024-2028 estimates that 64,500 deaths in 2019 were attributable to AMR, with an additional 263,400 deaths associated with AMR.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to medications used to treat infections, rendering them less effective or ineffective. Pate described AMR as a "hidden pandemic," noting that resistant infections are often not immediately recognized as the cause of prolonged illness or treatment failure.

Efforts to strengthen Nigeria's ability to generate AMR data include launching its first nationally representative AMR survey in December 2025. This survey will establish a national baseline on antimicrobial resistance and strengthen routine surveillance, covering 40-45 randomly selected health facilities across the country. However, a 2025 study found significant gaps in laboratory capacity to support AMR surveillance, with only 7.3% of surveyed laboratories considered fully ready for AMR surveillance.