The federal government has warned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could claim 10 million lives globally each year, with four million of the deaths likely occurring in Africa.

Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha disclosed this at the commencement of the 2025 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) on Tuesday in Abuja, scheduled for November 18 to 24.

The 2025 campaign theme is “Act Now: Protect our Present, Secure our Future.”

Represented by Chinyere Akujobi, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Maiha said WAAW was aimed at raising awareness of the public health threats posed by AMR and promoting practices that limit the spread of resistant infections.

The minister explained that AMR occurred when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer responded to previously effective antibiotics.

“While it can occur naturally, inappropriate antibiotic use, such as over-prescription, self-medication, poor adherence to treatment, and lapses in infection prevention, exacerbates the problem,” Mr Maiha said.

Other contributors, he noted, included poor biosecurity on farms, unregulated use of antibiotics and pesticides in crops, and the consumption of animal products containing antimicrobial residues.

The minister said that AMR leads to treatment failures, prolonged illness, loss of livelihoods, higher production costs, and a threat to national economic development.

Mr Maiha urged stakeholders in human, veterinary, and environmental health to join the campaign against the misuse of antimicrobials.

He stressed the importance of vaccination, biosecurity, and hygiene in reducing infections and minimising reliance on antibiotics.

“Clinicians, veterinarians, and farmers must use antimicrobials responsibly.

“They should only be prescribed when necessary, with full adherence to treatment and withdrawal periods, to avoid a return to a pre-antibiotic era,” he warned.

(NAN)