The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated approach to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as a global development challenge.

Speaking at a side event on AMR at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, warned that AMR threatens food systems and national health security. “AMR is not just a health issue.

It is a global development challenge. It threatens our food systems, impacts maternal and child health, compromises economic stability, and weakens national security,” he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that AMR could lead to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 if left unchecked. With Nigeria’s projected population of over 400 million by 2050, the country’s success in fighting AMR is crucial.

“To effectively address AMR, we must recognize that this crisis spans multiple sectors. Collaboration between health, agriculture, environment, and industry is essential. Adopting a One Health approach that unites these sectors is critical,” Idris noted.