Nigeria has officially activated its roadmap to host the 5th Global Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2026—marking the first time this event will be held on African soil.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris announced the development on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Ministerial Advisory Committee.
He noted that Nigeria now has just over a year to prepare for the historic three-day conference, urging world-class planning to showcase Nigeria’s leadership and amplify African perspectives in the global AMR fight.
Dr. Idris detailed a four-tier governance structure including a high-level ministerial advisory committee, led by ministers overseeing health, environment, and agriculture, a steering committee, chaired by the Director of Public Health as well an operational sub‑committees focused on programme content, partnerships, logistics, and communications.
These, he said will be anchored in a one health framework, integrating human, animal, and environmental health.
Sub‑committees are expected to finalise their work by August 2025, with a full programme and budget ready by December. The conference venue, Abuja’s Transport Building, has already been secured.
Dr. Idris said the 2026 conference will focus on five key areas namely equitable access to antimicrobials and diagnostics, technology-driven AMR surveillance, sustainable financing, infection prevention and WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) as well as youth leadership and engagement
He further revealed Nigeria is reaching out to the WHO, corporate partners, donors, the National Assembly, and African ministers to ensure strong domestic and international backing.
AMR was linked to over 263,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2019, surpassing the annual toll from malaria or tuberculosis.
Globally, AMR is one of the top public health threats, and Nigeria aims to build on its Second National Action Plan (NAP 2.0) to address the crisis under a One Health approach.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako noted that international stakeholders are closely monitoring Nigeria’s preparations.
He emphasized the need for swift planning to ensure the conference’s success, pointing out that Nigeria’s 2026 AMR commitment has already been discussed at forums like the UK–Africa Health Summit and the World Health Assembly.
