FG, UniAbuja veterinary students partner to tackle antimicrobial resistance crisis

The Association of Veterinary Medical Students, University of Abuja Chapter (UA-AVMS), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has resolved to tackle the growing crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the environment.

This commitment was demonstrated through the recent official launch of their World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).

The annual event, themed “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together: UNIABUJA’s Bold Stand Against the Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis”, was held at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Lecture Theatre, UniAbuja.

The symposium emphasized the urgent need for collaboration across human, animal, and environmental sectors to combat the rising threat of drug-resistant infections.

Delivering the keynote address, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Zainab Abdulkareem, explained that antimicrobial resistance is largely driven by the misuse of antibiotics—including improper prescriptions and a lack of diagnostic support.

Dr. Zainab noted that excessive use of antimicrobials in both healthcare and agricultural settings creates selective pressure that favors the emergence of resistant microorganisms.

She further identified incomplete treatment courses, poor hygiene and sanitation, genetic mutations, and horizontal gene transfer as key contributors to antimicrobial resistance.

The guest speaker, Dr. Usende Ifukibot Levi—an environmental toxicologist, neuroscientist, and senior research scientist at Sidero Bioscience, Pennsylvania State, USA—joined the event virtually. He explained that environmental heavy metals contribute to AMR by exerting selective pressure that favors metal-resistant bacteria, which often carry antibiotic resistance genes on the same mobile genetic elements.

This co-selection, Dr. Usende noted, increases the risk of multidrug-resistant strains. He added that environmental stressors can induce the formation of bacterial persister cells, which are more tolerant to antibiotics and harder to eliminate.

In an insightful lecture on the role of research in addressing antimicrobial resistance, he urged veterinary students and faculty to complement clinical practice with research, stressing the importance of developing interdisciplinary skills and engaging with real-world problems.

“Be intentional about acquiring complementary skills and knowledge areas that can distinguish you. Whether it’s public health, biomedical science, education, or policy development, find ways to be relevant beyond the clinic,” he stated.

Drawing from his own journey, Dr. Usende shared how his background in veterinary medicine and public health laid the foundation for his achievements in neuroscience and environmental toxicology.

While noting that veterinarians frequently encounter antibiotic-resistant cases, he emphasized the need for students to pursue research alongside clinical training in order to generate solutions, inform practice, and influence policy.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UniAbuja, Professor Hudu Mikail, stated that antimicrobial resistance is a complex issue requiring a multifaceted response, including improved antibiotic stewardship, public health measures, and cutting-edge research into new antimicrobials and resistance mechanisms.

He condemned the practice of self-medication and warned against the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Professor Mikail called on veterinary students to remain committed to academic excellence and to take an active role in educating farmers and animal owners about the dangers of indiscriminate antibiotic use.

Earlier in his speech, the President of the Association of Veterinary Medical Students, UniAbuja, Levi Innocent Akpa, lauded Dr. Usende’s extensive research on the toxic effects of vanadium and other heavy metals on the brain and multiple organ systems, noting that his work has been widely published and presented at both national and international conferences.

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Akpa expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for their support.

He reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to advancing awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promoting public health advocacy.

The event, celebrated annually as part of the global WAAW campaign and anchored by Pharm. Charles Ogun, featured dynamic panel sessions—setting the tone for a week of academic engagement and community-centered advocacy.