Substandard veterinary antibiotics as an overlooked driver of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria: a one health commentary

Abstract

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance poses an escalating public health threat in Nigeria, where infectious diseases remain prevalent and antimicrobial use in livestock, particularly poultry and aquaculture, is substantial. While antibiotic misuse is widely acknowledged, the role of poor-quality veterinary drugs in driving resistance has received limited attention. This commentary examines substandard veterinary antibiotics as an overlooked driver of resistance within a One Health framework, drawing on scientific literature, regulatory documents, and field insights. Evidence reveals systemic weaknesses in regulatory oversight, supply chain integrity, and pharmacovigilance, alongside pathways through which degraded or falsified antibiotics accelerate resistance across animal, human, and environmental interfaces. Addressing this requires stringent regulation, quality surveillance, stewardship education, and integration within national One Health strategies.