The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Wednesday, raised concerns over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance to livestock farming, food safety, and public health in Nigeria.
Maiha stated this in a press statement by the director, Information and Public Relations, Ben Goong, and noted that livestock farming remains the backbone of rural livelihoods and food security in Nigeria. It however faces an escalating threat from antimicrobial resistance.
He warned that when antibiotics lose their effectiveness, the consequences for farmers, food safety and public health are severe.
“The health of our animals is directly tied to the health of our people. When antibiotics and other antimicrobials lose their effectiveness in treating animal diseases, the consequences are dire. It results in reduced productivity, economic hardship for farmers, and risks to food safety and public health.
“AMR is not a distant threat, it is a current and escalating danger that demands our full attention,” Maiha said.
He added that no single sector can tackle AMR alone and that the one health approach must be the foundation of collective action.
To nip this in the bud, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria will host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2026.