August 3, 2025
General Health

Nigeria Seeks to Bridge Gap Between AMR Policies and Implementation Through Private Sector Engagement

The Nigerian government is intensifying efforts to close the gap between national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) policies and their real-world implementation by actively involving private sector actors in regulation, data sharing, and coordinated stewardship programs.

Experts note that AMR remains a major public health threat, undermining decades of progress in healthcare and agriculture. To tackle this, Nigeria plans to strengthen its regulatory frameworks to ensure private healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and agribusinesses comply with national AMR guidelines.

The government aims to establish integrated data-sharing platforms to facilitate timely reporting from private laboratories and clinics into the national AMR surveillance system. Incentives will be introduced to encourage private sector participation, including tax benefits and access to government support programs.

Furthermore, multi-sectoral stewardship committees involving public and private stakeholders will be formed to coordinate awareness campaigns and promote responsible antimicrobial use across sectors.

Regulatory bodies will enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, linking compliance to licensing and accreditation processes. Sanctions for violations and rewards for exemplary compliance are also being considered.

This inclusive approach is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against AMR by fostering greater transparency, accountability, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Officials reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring sustainable use of antimicrobials nationwide.