Experts in the public health sector have warned that millions of Nigerians were unknowingly putting their lives at risk by buying antibiotics without prescriptions.

The experts sounded the warning in separate presentations at the ongoing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Reporting Training Programme organised by the A-STEP Project of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in collaboration with the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance (NAMA),

They lamented that the practice was accelerating the emergence of what was described as deadly drug-resistant “superbugs” capable of making common infections, routine surgeries and even childbirth increasingly difficult to treat.

Assistant Prof. School of Public Health, University of Waterloo Canada, Dr. Charity Oga-Omenka warned that the widespread misuse of antibiotics driven by self-medication, weak regulation, poor access to healthcare and a shortage of medical professionals were steadily rendering life-saving medicines ineffective and pushing Nigeria closer to a major public health crisis.

Oga-Omenka explained that antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms evolve and stop responding to medicines designed to eliminate them, making once-treatable infections increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible to cure.

According to her, the crisis was being driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals and agriculture, stressing that tackling the problem requires a One Health approach that recognises the close relationship between human, animal and environmental health.

She warned that if current trends continue, routine surgical procedures, cancer treatment, organ transplantation and the treatment of common infections could become significantly more dangerous.

She further noted that easy access to antibiotics outside the formal healthcare system remains one of the biggest drivers of antimicrobial resistance in the country.

Citing findings from studies conducted in six Nigerian states, Oha-Omenka who doubles as the Principal Investigator Antibiotics Stewardship Education for Pharmacists (ASTEP) Research Project Research Project, said 66 per cent of antibiotic users purchased the medicines without first consulting qualified health professionals.

She attributed the trend to long waiting hours at hospitals, consultation costs, distance to health facilities and the widespread belief among many Nigerians that they already know which medicines they need.

She said: “Many people ask themselves why they should spend an entire day in the hospital when they can simply walk into a medicine shop and buy antibiotics. Unfortunately, that convenience is creating a much bigger health problem for everyone.”

Speaking further, Oga-Omenka noted that Nigeria has about three doctors for every 10,000 people, leaving many communities dependent on patent medicine vendors and informal healthcare providers for treatment.

While acknowledging the critical role these providers play in underserved communities, she warned that unrestricted access to antibiotics was accelerating drug resistance.

“Regulation alone cannot solve this problem. Even if law enforcement officers stand in front of every medicine shop, people will still buy antibiotics elsewhere or share leftover drugs with family members. Until the public understands the danger, the cycle will continue.”

She cautioned that antibiotics do not only destroy harmful bacteria but also eliminate beneficial bacteria that protect the body’s natural immune system.

“Sometimes the harmful bacteria survive because they have become resistant, while the good bacteria are wiped out. What you are doing is weakening your immunity while making dangerous bacteria stronger.”

She also warned against using old prescriptions to treat new illnesses, explaining that similar symptoms may be caused by entirely different organisms.

“The medicine that worked for you last year may not be the right treatment today. Every unnecessary use of antibiotics gives bacteria another opportunity to develop resistance.”

According to her, developing a single antibiotic requires years of scientific research and enormous financial investment, making the indiscriminate use of existing medicines a threat to global health.

“Every time we misuse antibiotics, we reduce the effectiveness of one of humanity’s most valuable medical resources. Eventually, there will come a time when these medicines no longer work.”

Delivering a presentation on the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, Canada Research Chair in Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Co-Principal Investigator of the A-STEP Project, Dr. Giorgia Sulis, described AMR as one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century, warning that resistance to antibiotics was already undermining decades of medical progress.

While noting that AMR was already causing substantial illness and death worldwide, she said about 5 million deaths were associated with AMR in 2019, even as she added that Nigeria ranks 20th of 204 countries for AMR related mortality.

Sulis who said Nigeria has made some progress, commended the country for launching its first National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2017 and for revising and updating the plan a few years ago to reflect current realities.

“So, there are ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance systems, improve coordination, and ensure that we are better equipped to detect, monitor, and respond to antimicrobial resistance across the country.”

Representing the Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr. Patrick Dakum said scientific evidence alone would not change public behaviour unless effectively communicated through the media.

“You can have all the science in the world, but if journalists do not carry the message to the public, the science becomes useless. We need the media to translate research into stories that save lives.”

Earlier, Founding Chairperson of the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance (NAMA), Ojoma Akor, described antimicrobial resistance as a “silent pandemic” that continues to receive far less attention than it deserves despite its devastating consequences.

She said the media has a crucial responsibility to educate the public, influence policy and hold institutions accountable.

“As journalists, we are not merely observers of events; we are educators, agenda setters, advocates for accountability and trusted sources of information. Through accurate, evidence-based reporting, we can shape public understanding and promote responsible antibiotic use.”

Akor urged journalists to move beyond reporting official events and investigate why antibiotics remain easily available despite existing regulations.

“The real stories lie in our hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, farms, markets and communities. We must investigate why people self-medicate, who is supplying these medicines and whether policies designed to control antibiotic use are actually working.”