Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, says the livestock sector uses more antibiotics than the human health sector, warning that improper use of the drugs could worsen antimicrobial resistance.

He made this known on Monday in Abuja during a joint ministerial briefing ahead of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, scheduled to hold from December 6 to 8.

Pate explained that antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms become resistant to medicines designed to treat infections. He stressed that the problem affects humans, animals and the environment, requiring coordinated action across different sectors.

The minister identified vaccination, proper hygiene, biosecurity, improved diagnosis and infection prevention as key measures to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics. He also urged Nigerians to consult medical professionals before taking antibiotics, noting that not every cough or catarrh requires the drugs.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, warned that the misuse of antimicrobials and agrochemicals could threaten food safety, agricultural productivity, trade and livelihoods.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, also emphasised that antimicrobial resistance spreads across humans, animals, farms, food and environmental systems.

The upcoming conference will be the first global high-level ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance to be hosted in Africa. Its theme is “One Healthcare: Advancing Global AMR Commitments to Local Action.”