Government of Republic of Nigeria appoints Ministerial Global Envoy for addressing Antimicrobial Resistance

Government of Republic of Nigeria appoints Ministerial Global Envoy for addressing Antimicrobial Resistance

• Dr Ayoade Alakija, FIND Board Chair, appointed as Ministerial Global Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Dr Alakija will leverage her expertise and global health leadership network to champion a One Health approach and the role of diagnostics in tackling the rising threat of AMR.
• Dr Alakija will sit on the Ministerial Advisory Committee established for the upcoming Global High Level Ministerial Conference on AMR in Abuja in June 2026. 

ABUJA, NIGERA – 09/06/25. Ahead of the 5^th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, the Government of Nigeria has appointed Dr Alakija, Board Chair of the global diagnostics non-profit, FIND, and WHO Special Envoy to the ACT-Accelerator as Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR. The Global Envoy will also sit on the newly established Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC), supporting Nigeria’s AMR efforts and helping to optimize the Ministerial Conference as a landmark moment for addressing AMR through expert insights and recommendations.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness, disease spread and death. A major driver of AMR is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in people, livestock and crops; often due to limited access to timely diagnostics to identify the correct course of action. Addressing the threat, which is projected to cause over 39 million deaths by 2050, requires a One Health approach, which recognizes the need for integration across human, animal and environmental sectors. This integrated strategy will be a central focus of the 2026 meeting in Abuja, aimed at ensuring that efforts to combat AMR are coordinated, effective, and sustainable.

In her role as Ministerial Global Envoy, Dr Alakija will support high-level advocacy and resource mobilization efforts, championing the centrality of diagnostics and the One Health approach in the AMR response and shaping the framing of equity-driven priorities. In the role, Dr Alakija will leverage her expertise and experiences as World Health Organization (WHO) Special Envoy for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, Chair of the African Union, African Vaccine Delivery Alliance (AVDA) and Co-Chair of the G7 Impact Investment Initiative on Global Health, as well as her position as the Board Chair of FIND.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said, “Dr Alakija has demonstrated global leadership as she fights for access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for those that need them most. In her new role as Ministerial Global Envy, Dr Alakija will be huge asset for Nigeria and beyond. The expert insights from Dr Alakija, grounded in her experiences in pandemic preparedness and diagnostics, her established relationships with key agencies and her long-standing commitment to health equity, will help drive forward-looking and equity-based outcomes at the convening.”

Professor Pate assumed the role of president of the 5^th Ministerial Conference on AMR in November 2024, at the 4^th Ministerial Conference in Jeddah, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 2024 convening saw global health leaders uphold their commitments to addressing AMR with the adoption of the landmark Jeddah Commitments. The Oman, KSA and Nigeria troika will ensure the continuity of the progress made in Jeddah and see that these critical commitments, that set out priority actions for addressing AMR, are taken forward.

“AMR both drives and magnifies health inequalities, disproportionately affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations. Africa remains the hardest-hit region, where AMR now poses a greater threat than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria. It is an honor to support Nigeria’s commitment to tackling AMR and the first Global Ministerial Conference Ministerial on AMR to be hosted on African soil – a vital moment for global health and a powerful opportunity to showcase African leadership in the fight against this threat.” said newly appointed Ministerial Global Envoy, Dr Alakija. “I’m resolute in the belief that collective action, rooted in a One Health approach and equitable access to diagnostics, can turn the tide on AMR and the injustices that it entrenches.”