In a strategic move ahead of Nigeria’s hosting of the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2026, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Ayoade Alakija as the Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, underscoring Nigeria’s readiness to play a leading role in the global response to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Alakija, a respected public health advocate and global health strategist, is expected to serve as the face of Nigeria’s AMR agenda, leveraging her vast experience in pandemic preparedness, equitable access to health tools, and multilateral partnerships. She currently chairs the board of FIND, a World Health Organization (WHO)-designated partner in diagnostics, and previously served as a Special Envoy to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator under WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Her appointment, officials say, comes at a critical time when Africa is confronting a disproportionate share of the AMR burden. Experts warn that AMR could claim over 10 million lives annually by 2050 if urgent measures are not taken. Limited access to diagnostics and quality medicines remains a major factor driving resistance across the continent.
As Global Envoy, Dr. Alakija will work closely with Nigeria’s Ministerial Advisory Committee, drive domestic and international engagement, and push for the integration of the One Health approach and diagnostic equity into AMR interventions. She is also expected to coordinate high-level advocacy efforts and partner engagements in the build-up to the 2026 conference.
Her role aligns with the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, both of which emphasise coordinated, multisectoral responses to complex health challenges.
The 2026 AMR conference, scheduled to hold in Abuja, is expected to consolidate global momentum against antimicrobial resistance. Nigeria will work closely with previous hosts, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as with global agencies under the Quadripartite alliance—WHO, FAO, WOAH, and UNEP.
The federal government thanked Dr. Alakija for accepting the appointment, expressing confidence in her capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s leadership on AMR and contribute meaningfully to global health security efforts.
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