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FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has intensified the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is estimated to lead to a global US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030, with the launch of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector on Thursday
Speaking at the Launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako noted that a lot still needs to be done for the environment sector to come up to speed and be at par with other One Health sectors with regards to AMR management. He said: “It is in this context and in line with the mandate of the ministry that this policy on national antimicrobial resistance for the environment sector has been developed.”

The Minister said: “You will agree with me that antibiotics play a critical role in reducing the burden of communicable disease all over the world. However, resistance to previously potent antibiotics has become a major problem of major public health significance requiring a range of interventions and multidisciplinary approach. This growing trend of resistance to antibiotics calls for global action to monitor and control unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals which eventually gets to the environment.”
Salako added that: “Antimicrobial resistance is not only a public health threats, it has huge implications for global economic wellbeing and security, affecting both developed and developing countries. AMR is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the ten top threats to global health. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), AMR is a global crisis that cannot be understood or addressed separately from the triple planetary crisis.”

He noted that: “The report of the 2022 Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report highlights alarming resistance rates among bacterial pathogens that causes the deadliest infections with other pathogens like virus, fungi and protozoa also becoming resistant. This report shows that AMR threat is growing at an alarming rate making treatment challenging with longer hospital stays, increased mortality and higher healthcare cost. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.”
The Minister said: “Nigeria as a responsible member of the global community is committed to adopting a holistic approach to addressing AMR to ensuring all of sector involvement, no duplication and efficient use of scarce resources. To achieve this, and protect public health, food security and the environment, the recognition of the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health in line with the One Health principles is central.”
Salako noted that: “In this regard, the Federal Ministry of Environment has embarked on a number activities aimed at laying a solid foundation for AMR surveillance in the environment sector of our country. This includes: AMR situation analysis in environment sector conducted in 2020 including laboratory and capacity needs assessment of environmental reference laboratories domicile with NESREA to pave way for setting up AMR surveillance in the environment sector and provide recommendations for strengthening capacities for AMR surveillance within the sector.
“Establishment of the Integrated National Environmental Health Surveillance System (INEHSS) in 2022 for real time environmental health and sanitation scientific data collection and processing for informed policy decisions, planning, monitoring, evaluation, early warning signals and response to environmental health challenges including disease outbreak. The INEHSS provides a premise for AMR surveillance in the environment considering the unsound release of antimicrobial residues in our environment.”
He revealed that with collaboration with other stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Environment intends to create AMR surveillance system in the environment sector by integrating AMR into INEHSS which is an existing surveillance system in the environment sector, in order to provide timely alerts on AMR spread; regulate the discharge and distribution of antimicrobials into the environment; promote public knowledge and awareness on AMR and implication of indiscriminate Antimicrobial Discharge (AMD) into the environment; establish national standards for monitoring and controlling antimicrobials in the environment through the development of
roadmap for monitoring AMR in the environment, standards for Antimicrobial residue, Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG) and Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (ARB) discharge into the environment
He said this includes database of all allied industries, institutes, healthcare facilities and farms in Nigeria and most importantly strengthening of Environmental Health Officers’ capacity to track the activities of the culpable facilities.
On his part, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative Ad-Interim in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Kouacou Dominique said: “The antimicrobial resistance scourge affects humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It is estimated that 10 million people would die annually by the year 2050, and the economies of nations negatively affected if this challenge is not mitigated.”
He insisted that: “It is therefore important for countries to put in place actions that will reduce and control this scourge.”
Dominique added that: “Antimicrobial resistance which is a One Health issue needs to be tackled by all sectors. It is for this reason that the FAO in 2022 supported the Federal Ministry of Environment to develop the National AMR Policy and the National Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027). This support was also to assist in enhancing the capacity and capabilities of the environment sector to participate actively in development and implementation of multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary AMR control plans at the national and subnational levels.”
FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector
News
Nigeria, Aid Partners Seek $516m to Support 2.5 Million Vulnerable People in North-East in 2026
Nigeria, Aid Partners Seek $516m to Support 2.5 Million Vulnerable People in North-East in 2026
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government, in collaboration with humanitarian partners, has launched an urgent appeal for US$516 million to deliver life-saving assistance to 2.5 million people affected by conflict and deprivation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) States in 2026.
The appeal is contained in Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and targets the most severe humanitarian cases in the conflict-affected north-east, where women and children account for nearly 80 per cent of those in critical need.
The humanitarian crisis in the BAY states has been worsened by a prolonged 16-year insurgency, widespread displacement, limited access to essential services, climate-related shocks, economic hardship, and shrinking livelihood opportunities.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, warned that humanitarian needs are escalating at a time of declining global funding. He noted that delays in closing funding gaps could have fatal consequences, especially for malnourished children.
According to projections, about 3 million Nigerian children under the age of five are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, with one million of them living in the BAY states. In addition, nearly 35 million Nigerians may face acute food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, including 5.8 million people in the north-east.
The 2026 HNRP places strong emphasis on a transition to nationally-led humanitarian action, as international funding continues to decline globally. The plan highlights the need for closer collaboration between government institutions and humanitarian actors to sustain assistance during this transition.
In his remarks, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leading and coordinating humanitarian responses. He said government efforts would focus on aligning humanitarian action with national reforms aimed at poverty reduction, human capital development, and community resilience.
Governors of the BAY states — Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe — also pledged stronger cooperation with humanitarian partners to deliver urgent aid while pursuing long-term solutions for displaced and conflict-affected populations.
Funding for the **2025 HNRP stood at $282
Nigeria, Aid Partners Seek $516m to Support 2.5 Million Vulnerable People in North-East in 2026
News
Troops clear multiple settlements in Shiroro LGA, neutralize IEDs during clearance operation
Troops clear multiple settlements in Shiroro LGA, neutralize IEDs during clearance operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army have successfully cleared multiple settlements in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and sustaining pressure on insurgents in the area, a development that marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to secure the North Central region.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the clearance operation, which commenced on Jan. 20, faced challenges from difficult terrain and vehicle breakdowns, including MRAP and Armoured Fighting Vehicle faults.
Despite these setbacks, troops advanced to clear settlements including Galadima Kogo, Danpkala, Angwan Shawo, Kaure, Onagbi, Iburo, Kudogo, Kori, Kampani Kpakari, Chigwamya, Chikuba, and Nabwi.

At Nabwi, troops encountered a roadside IED followed by enemy fire, which was neutralized through superior firepower.
The sources added that Nigerian Air Force assets provided close air support throughout the operation, while unmanned aerial vehicles from the Niger State Government assisted in monitoring and reconnaissance.
Zagazola note that the operation has broader strategic implications. Shiroro LGA has served as a key operational hub for Boko Haram splinter groups, particularly JAS and ANSARU elements.
These groups, led in the Northwest and North Central zones by top lieutenants including Saddiku, Umar Taraba, Kabiru Doctor, and Mamman Kabir, have exported IED-making expertise to expand attacks into Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kogi States. Their presence in Allawa–Madawaki and other settlements allowed them to establish clandestine cells, smuggle weapons, and enforce informal taxation on local communities.

Military sources stress that sustained clearance operations, coupled with intelligence-led surveillance and cooperation with air component, remain critical to denying freedom of action to insurgents.

The ongoing operations in Shiroro will not only restore civilian confidence but will also prevent JAS and Boko Haram splinter cells from consolidating influence in key strategic corridors linking the Northeast to the Northwest and North Central regions,” a source said.
Troops clear multiple settlements in Shiroro LGA, neutralize IEDs during clearance operation
News
Troops recover AK-47 rifle in Taraba during cordon-and-search operation
Troops recover AK-47 rifle in Taraba during cordon-and-search operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 114 Battalion, in conjunction with Department of Intelligence and Analysis (DIA) operatives, have recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a cordon-and-search operation in Murubai Village, Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted on Jan. 22, followed credible intelligence regarding the presence of arms in the village.
The source said the search was carried out at the residence of one Bazoe John, who was not found during the operation. Authorities recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, which are now in the custody of the troops.

The source added that the operation comes after the earlier arrest of two suspected gunrunners, identified as Christopher Adamu and James Yangyang, at Sebos Joint in Mayo Dassa, Jalingo LGA and Tautre Village in Ardo Kola LGA on Jan. 11 and 12 respectively.
Troops recover AK-47 rifle in Taraba during cordon-and-search operation
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