Experts unite to fight antimicrobial resistance, say it’s silent pandemic
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A transdisciplinary research team from the UK, Spain and Nigeria is working with ruminant and aquaculture stakeholders to develop and validate an alternative to antimicrobials for ruminants and aquaculture.
Experts are raising an alarm that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing “silent pandemic” and there is an urgent need for alternatives to antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture production in Nigeria and other developing countries.
Over the last two days, Dr Ismail Odetokun (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth (Royal Holloway University of London, UK) have led stakeholders’ participatory workshops with farmers and veterinarians discussing the challenges and opportunities for using alternatives to antibiotics in ruminants and aquaculture.
These activities are part of an ongoing research project “Bacteriocin-rich Extract from Engineered Lactic Acid Bacteria as an Antibiotic Alternative for Therapeutic and Prophylactic Use in Ruminants and Aquaculture (BAC4RumA),” funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada and the UKaid/Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) aimed at tackling AMR and developing cost-effective, locally produced alternatives to antibiotics.
In his address, the leader of the UNILORIN Research Team, Dr. Ismail Ayoade Odetokun, explained that the project focuses on developing bacteriocins from an engineered lactic acid bacteria that can serve as an alternative to antibiotics in ruminants and aquaculture.
Dr. Odetokun, an associate professor at the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ilorin, noted that the stakeholders’ workshops are part of a broader effort to engage stakeholders, understand current use of antibiotics, and integrate their experiences into the development of this new solution.
“The way antibiotics are used in developing countries, including Nigeria, is problematic. We misuse and overuse them, and this leads to antimicrobial resistance. Our goal is to find effective, low-cost alternatives that will serve the same purpose without contributing to this global health crisis,” he said.
He warned that AMR is a growing “silent pandemic,” adding that if left unchecked, it could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with Africa, particularly Nigeria, expected to bear the highest burden.
According to Dr. Odetokun, lab results from in-vitro studies have shown that Bacteriocin-rich extract is effective than traditional antibiotics against bacterial infections causing mastitis and diseases in aquaculture production.
“What remains is to scale up production and begin field trials in dairy cattle, goats, and tilapia. We are excited about the results so far and confident that it will be a game-changer for livestock health.”
“This stakeholder engagement is to disseminate our findings from the preliminary research, and to also let them be part of the field trials. Some farmers are actually very willing to use safe products in place of antibiotics to control mastitis in dairy farms and to control infections in the aquaculture industry. So, the product will be a win-win for both of us – the researchers and farmers,” Dr. Odetokun added.
The UK Team Leader, Dr. Mahmoud Eltholth, a lecturer in global health at Royal Holloway University of London, emphasized that one of the solutions to stop the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance is to reduce the use of antibiotics and to look for alternatives as vaccines, probiotics, prebiotics, and other herbal medicines or medicinal plants.
Dr Eltholth explained that the bacteriocin being developed in Nigeria is intended to be locally produced, affordable, and accessible to farmers.
“When animals are treated with antibiotics that no longer work, it affects productivity and causes economic losses for farmers. Worse still, resistant bacteria can be transmitted to humans, making this a One Health issue,” Dr. Eltholth noted.
For his part, a workshop participant and Veterinary Consultant, Dr. Saka Shittu, described the BAC4RumA project as timely and beneficial not only to livestock and aquaculture producers but also for public health.
Dr. Shittu expressed concern over growing AMR and the need for continuous dialogue among stakeholders — researchers, field veterinarians, and farmers.
“This is not just a livestock issue. It’s about public health. We consume animals and animal products that have been treated with drugs, and then those drugs no longer work in humans. This project is a major step in solving that problem,” Dr. Shittu said.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to develop a viable alternative to antibiotics, its efficacy and acceptability among the key stakeholders.
Also speaking, CEO of Onikam Farm and Multilink Ventures, Oniye Kamaldeen, praised the interactive format of the workshop, especially the group discussions that allowed participants to identify challenges and proffer solutions together.
“One key issue we face is mastitis in cows, which affects milk production. With what we’ve learned here, we’re more equipped to manage and prevent it — even before a vet arrives,” he said.
On the aquaculture side, Dr. Basiru Afisu facilitated a focus group discussion with tilapia farmers, analyzing their current practices, antibiotic usage, and openness to alternative therapies.
Dr Basiru, an associate professor of Veterinary Physiology, University of Ilorin, said farmers showed high interest in herbal treatments and are ready to adopt branded, research-backed alternatives due to the rising cost and decreasing effectiveness of synthetic drugs.
“They’re already experimenting with herbal solutions. What they want now is something standardized and effective. That’s what this research project aims to deliver,” Dr. Basiru said.
Mrs. Rahmat Omosanya, CEO of Toke Agroenterprises from Offa, said the workshop was both informative and encouraging as fish farmers shared their experiences on fish health management.
“We are fully ready to receive the new antimicrobial alternative. There’s no fear or doubt. We’re ready,” she said.
Another participant, Ogunade Jonathan Abolade, General Manager of Yesha Yahu Nigeria Ltd, emphasized the need for affordable and effective solutions that won’t harm human consumers.
He commended the research team’s transparency and encouraged them to continue working on the project to develop antimicrobial alternatives.
“We are looking forward to testing the product on our farms. It will be a big win for the aquaculture industry,” Ogunade said.