The federal government has appointed Ayoade Alakija, a globally respected health advocate and chair of the board of FIND, as its ministerial global envoy on antimicrobial resistance.

Health minister Muhammad Ali Pate announced on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Pate said the appointment was a move to strengthen global and national efforts to tackle AMR.

The appointment was made ahead of the Fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, in June 2026.

This will be the first time the conference will be hosted in Africa.

Mr Pate said that Ms Alakija would also serve as the World Health Organisation Special Envoy for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.

The minister said Mr Alakija would play a critical role in championing the One Health approach, advocating for equitable access to diagnostics and ensuring that the 2026 conference delivers impactful and inclusive outcomes.

“She has demonstrated global leadership in fighting for access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for those who need them most,” he said.

The minister said that her expert insights, grounded in pandemic preparedness, diagnostics, and health equity, would be a huge asset to Nigeria and the global AMR agenda.

“As ministerial global envoy, she will sit on the ministerial advisory committee for the 2026 conference and support high-level advocacy, resource mobilisation, and policy framing efforts.

“She brings to the role a wealth of experience, including her position as chair of the African Union Vaccine Delivery Alliance (AVDA). She is also co-chair of the G7 Impact Investment Initiative on Global Health and board chair of FIND, a global non-profit advancing diagnostics.

“With leaders like hers helping guide our efforts, Nigeria is well-positioned to make the 2026 conference a turning point in the global fight against AMR,” Mr Pate said.

Responding, Ms Alakija said AMR was not just a health threat.

She said that it was an honour to support Nigeria in hosting the historic conference and to elevate African leadership in shaping the global AMR response.

(NAN)