Nigeria and Denmark have reaffirmed their commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance, enhance food safety, and promote climate-smart agriculture through the One Health approach. The partnership, highlighted in a recent engagement, focuses on integrated solutions for public health and sustainable livestock systems. Experts and regulators from both nations discussed priority areas to build resilience in Nigeria's food systems.
On November 29, 2025, Nigeria and Denmark strengthened their joint efforts during a One Health engagement to address pressing challenges in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, and climate adaptation. Sidikat Kamal, Coordinator of the Denmark-Nigeria programme (DAN-NG) and Chief Regulatory Officer at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), emphasized the need for evidence-driven solutions at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health.
The initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and supports Nigeria's efforts to develop resilient food systems. Supported by the Danida Fellowship Centre and Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event gathered experts, government regulators, and DAN-NG alumni to bolster national capacities. Key priorities include ethical animal husbandry, improved feed management to prevent contamination, and enhanced animal identification, registration, and traceability in the livestock value chain.
Participants highlighted concerns over early disease detection and response to infectious and transboundary animal diseases. Kamal warned against the misuse of antibiotics in livestock, advocating for responsible use through strong AMR stewardship. On food safety, the discussion stressed risk-based inspections, regulatory compliance, and sustainable livestock practices amid climate change.
This year's global AMR theme, 'Act Now Protect Our Present Secure Our Future,' underscores the urgency, particularly in lower-income settings where threats to vaccines, agriculture, and community health are rising. The partnership, established in 2020 under Strategic Sector Cooperation, has already delivered over 44 joint projects improving livestock productivity and agricultural sustainability.
Involving NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, academia, and other institutions, the engagement served as a platform for learning and innovation. Kamal stated, 'May the knowledge generated ripple outward, inform policy, strengthen communities and advance climate-smart One Health-aligned agricultural systems across Nigeria.'