Between 2021 and 2022, the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) led a national research study to examine stakeholder knowledge, attitudes and practices and how Nigeria’s first National Action Plan (NAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been understood, operationalised, and engaged with across the One Health spectrum. This research, which is currently under consideration for peer-reviewed publication, represents one of the most comprehensive cross-sectoral efforts to assess AMR awareness, action and policy implementation in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s adoption of a National Action Plan on AMR in 2017 marked an important step toward addressing a growing public health, animal health, and environmental threat. However, translating national policy frameworks into coordinated action across sectors, institutions, and professional groups remains a major challenge globally. This study was designed to generate empirical evidence to support more effective, inclusive, and sustainable AMR implementation in Nigeria.
Why This Research Matters
While AMR is widely recognised as a critical issue, there has been limited national-level evidence on how AMR policies are disseminated, interpreted, and acted upon by the professionals and institutions responsible for implementation. In particular, there has been a lack of cross-sectoral data examining engagement across human health, animal health, and environmental health, a core principle of the One Health approach.
OHDI’s research sought to address this gap by focusing not only on awareness of AMR, but on broader questions of policy penetration, institutional alignment, professional engagement, and systemic readiness to respond to AMR in practice.
A National, One Health Research Approach
The study adopted a national cross-sectional design, engaging professionals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and spanning the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Using a structured online survey complemented by qualitative inputs, the research explored multiple dimensions of AMR policy implementation, including professional exposure to the national AMR framework, organisational approaches to AMR, areas of professional engagement, and perceived systemic constraints.
The study applied a mixed-methods analytical approach, combining descriptive analysis with policy-oriented analytical techniques to better understand patterns of engagement and implementation across sectors and institutional contexts. This design allows the research to contribute not only to academic literature, but also to practical policy learning.
Informing Policy, Implementation, and Learning
The primary aim of this research is to support evidence-informed AMR governance in Nigeria. By systematically documenting how national AMR policies interface with professional practice and institutional systems, the study provides a foundation for strengthening future AMR strategies, including Nigeria’s future transition to NAP on AMR 2.0.
Beyond Nigeria, the research contributes to broader global discussions on AMR implementation science, particularly in low- and middle-income country settings where structural, financial, and coordination challenges are most pronounced.
OHDI’s Role in Advancing AMR Evidence and Policy
This study reflects OHDI’s commitment to advancing rigorous, policy-relevant research that supports governments and stakeholders to move from strategy development to effective action. By centering One Health principles, multisectoral engagement, and implementation realities, OHDI continues to position research as a tool for strengthening AMR systems rather than an end in itself.
Once published, the findings from this work will be shared to support policy dialogue, institutional learning, and improved coordination across Nigeria’s AMR ecosystem.
