Nigeria Faces Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance: 70% of Nigerians Use Antibiotics Without Prescription, Expert Warns
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Abuja, March 5, 2025 (Naija247news) — Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, has issued a grave warning regarding Nigeria’s escalating antibiotic resistance, which poses a severe threat to public health across the country.
Alex-Wele, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Nigeria Core Group for Policy Briefs Development Steering Committee under the WHO RADAAR Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet), made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. She highlighted that Nigeria is at risk of running out of effective treatments for common infections due to the rapid increase in antibiotic resistance.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 700,000 people die annually from drug-resistant infections, a number projected to rise to 10 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken,” she said, stressing that Nigeria’s situation is dire.
Dr. Alex-Wele explained that the crisis is fueled by widespread misinformation about antibiotics. Many Nigerians mistakenly believe that antibiotics can treat viral infections like colds and flu, leading to unnecessary prescriptions and the dangerous practice of self-medication. A recent WHO multi-country survey revealed that nearly 70% of respondents in low-income countries, including Nigeria, reported using antibiotics in the past month without a prescription, further exacerbating the problem.
“The devastating effects of antibiotic resistance are already being felt in Nigeria,” Alex-Wele warned. “We are seeing an alarming increase in multi-drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals, with some infections now nearly untreatable.” She cited the spread of drug-resistant strains of gonorrhoea and tuberculosis in communities, making treatment more expensive and challenging.
Patients with infections such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia are increasingly being admitted to hospitals with complications due to the failure of first-line antibiotics, Alex-Wele noted. She stressed that easy access to antibiotics without prescriptions remains a key driver of the crisis, with many Nigerians buying antibiotics over the counter from pharmacies and street vendors and using them improperly.
The expert emphasized the importance of using antibiotics only when prescribed by qualified doctors. “Taking the wrong antibiotic or stopping treatment too soon allows bacteria to adapt and become resistant,” she warned.
In response to the growing threat, the Nigerian government has launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, aimed at improving antibiotic stewardship and strengthening regulations. However, Alex-Wele pointed out that enforcement remains weak and called for more decisive action. “We need stricter controls on the sale of antibiotics, better public awareness campaigns, and improved diagnostic facilities to ensure antibiotics are only used when necessary,” she urged.
She also appealed to Nigerians to support global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance, aligning with the WHO’s call for individuals to become “Antibiotic Guardians” by using antibiotics responsibly and following medical advice.
Dr. Alex-Wele warned that without urgent action, Nigeria’s healthcare system could face an even deeper crisis. “Without immediate intervention, routine infections could once again become deadly, and the progress of modern medicine could be reversed,” she cautioned.
She urged Nigerians to stop self-medicating, complete prescribed antibiotic courses, and demand stronger policies to regulate antibiotic use. “The fight against antibiotic resistance is not just the responsibility of doctors and policymakers; it is a battle that every citizen must join,” she concluded.
