Could Cost Global Economy Almost $1trn Annually
Abuja: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a stark warning, saying if the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is not addressed, it could lead to a staggering loss of more than 39 million lives by the year 2050, and could cost the global economy almost $1 trillion annually.
Dr Tochi Okwor, Head of Disease Prevention at NCDC and Chair of Nigeria’s AMR Coordinating Committee, revealed this on Wednesday in Abuja.
Today, according to Okwor, AMR is one of the biggest challenges facing global health, food systems, and economies.
He said AMR was not just a medical issue but a crisis that demands urgent policy, science, and leadership responses.
Research, in the words of Okwor, showed “AMR was linked to about 4.7 million deaths worldwide in 2021, with more than one million directly caused by drug-resistant infections.
“If left unchecked, AMR could claim up to 39 million lives by 2050, equivalent to nearly three deaths every minute,,” she said.
Findings further showed that communities with weaker health systems are prone to the heaviest burden, as without urgent action, common infections could become untreatable, increasing risks of severe outbreaks.
Okwor explained that Nigeria has been building its AMR response for nearly a decade, anchored on the one health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
“Our governance frameworks, surveillance systems, and policies are gradually evolving, but the challenge is far from over,” she noted. Okwor recently completed a Fleming Fund Policy Fellowship hosted by the University of Liverpool.
She said that the experience provided renewed clarity on how to transform AMR data into actionable policies and how stronger engagement with lawmakers could help build legal frameworks for AMR governance in Nigeria.
“The UK experience showed me how scientific evidence is systematically translated into legislation. Effective AMR governance must rest on robust legal foundations, and that is a pathway we must pursue in Nigeria,” she stressed.
Highlighting the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, she observed that Nigeria must move beyond representation to meaningful partnerships at sub-national levels, particularly in integrating animal and environmental health into AMR strategies.
“Nigeria is set to host the 2026 High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, positioning the country at the centre of global dialogue on the issue.”
She said that the fellowship has sharpened her strategy for international engagement and would help Nigeria present more decisive leadership in the global AMR movement.
“Data without context is powerless. We must build the skills to interpret AMR data and translate it into equitable, actionable policies that protect our citizens and strengthen health security.”
Thediggernews.com reports that AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist drugs designed to kill them, making infection difficult to treat. This will lead to longer illnesses, being in the hospital for long, and a high risk of death.
Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungal treatments become ineffective, as routine procedures like chemotherapy and surgery become riskier.
What drives AMR are overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs in humans, animals, and agriculture, poor infection prevention and control, and lack of access to proper diagnostics and treatment.
As millions of deaths are connected to resistant infections annually, the World Health Organisation classifies AMR as one of the top global health threats. AMR happens when germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi stop responding to medicines, making infections more challenging to treat.
It leads to longer illnesses, higher medical costs, and more deaths. Misuse of antibiotics, overuse in humans and animals, and fake or poor-quality drugs fuel the problem.