Experts de
Nigeria will host over 100 countries in Abuja for a global summit on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with experts urging a shift from policy discussions to concrete action.
The 5th High-Level Ministerial Meeting on AMR, scheduled for June 28 to 30, 2026, comes amid rising concerns over drug-resistant infections linked to about 4.9 million deaths globally.
Although the meeting marks the first time the summit will be held in Africa, stakeholders warn that previous commitments have recorded limited impact, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when infections become harder to treat due to the misuse and overuse of medicines, including antibiotics.
In Nigeria, experts link the trend to self-medication, weak drug regulation and poor access to quality healthcare.
Nigeria’s Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR, Ayoade Alakija, said funding remains a major challenge, warning that without adequate investment, national action plans may not be fully implemented.
Experts also note that the crisis extends beyond hospitals, affecting food systems, agriculture and the environment.
They add that vulnerable communities face higher risks due to weak health systems and limited access to treatment.
With a global target to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10 per cent by 2030, stakeholders insist the Abuja summit must deliver measurable outcomes.