Nigeria, UK, Spain partner on ₦1.1b research to develop antibiotic alternatives

A Canadian centre has committed N1.1 billion to a transdisciplinary research work by United Kingdom (UK), Spanish, and Nigerian researchers.

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, has approved and allocated $1.7 million for research on alternative antibiotics for cattle, goats, and tilapia, with Lagos, Niger, and Kwara States as pilot states.

The alternative to antimicrobials for ruminants and aquaculture in Nigeria research is to be jointly carried out by research experts at Royal Holloway University, UK, the Institute of Agricultural Technology in Barcelona, Spain, and the University of Ilorin.

The research experts from the UK, Spain, and Nigeria, who raised the alarm that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a growing "silent pandemic," justified an urgent need for alternatives to antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture production in Nigeria and other developing countries.

"While the Barcelona team takes care of the alternative-to-antibiotics researches, those from Holloway University study the behaviour of farmers towards its acceptability. Unilorin is to carry out the trials," the team told newsmen on Friday.

During the week, Dr Ismail Odetokun (University of Ilorin, Nigeria) and Dr Mahmoud Eltholth (Royal Holloway University of London, UK) 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 IDRC, Canada, and the UKaid/Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), to tackle AMR and develop 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 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 the 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.

The UK Team Leader, Dr Mahmoud Eltholth, a lecturer in global health at Royal Holloway University of London, emphasised 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 such as vaccines, probiotics, prebiotics, and other herbal medicines or medicinal plants.

Eltholth said 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," Eltholth noted.

The Senior Programme Officer (Animal Health Climate Resilient Food System), Najete Safini, from the IDRC, after the inspection of facilities on the ground at Unilorin, told newsmen that the school is indeed ready for the collaborative research exercise.

The Unilorin Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulkareem Age Abdulganiyu Egbewole (SAN), who commended the feat while hosting the team in his office, urged it to be more concerned about the benefits of their findings to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the school, and the community.

Also speaking earlier, the 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 learnt 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, analysing their current practices, antibiotic usage, and openness to alternative therapies.

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 standardised 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, emphasised 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.