Health advocate, Dr Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has raised concerns about the high levels of antibiotics in chicken and eggs consumed in Nigeria.

In a recent post, Dr. Egemba cautioned that “every time you eat chicken or eggs in Nigeria, there is a very high chance that you are eating antibiotics with it.” He explained that regular consumption of such foods could make people resistant to antibiotics that are meant to fight infections in the body.

“When you eat too much chicken and eggs in Nigeria, you may become resistant to antibiotics,” he warned.

His warning aligns with findings from several studies carried out in Enugu, Ibadan, and parts of Northern Nigeria, which confirmed the presence of antibiotic residues in poultry products sold in Nigeria.

A study conducted in Enugu State found that all 25 poultry farms surveyed used oxytetracycline, and eggs collected from nine farms and three retail shops contained antimicrobial residues. Researchers also discovered that some farmers still used banned drugs, such as nitrofurans.

In Ibadan, another study found that more than 75 per cent of eggs tested contained oxytetracycline residues above the internationally accepted limit. The same study detected other antibiotics, including gentamicin and enrofloxacin, in the eggs sampled.

Experts say the misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming is often to boost growth or prevent disease.

This practice, according to Dr. Egemba, contributes to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that makes infections more challenging to treat and threatens the effectiveness of common medicines.

Dr. Egemba urged both farmers and consumers to take the issue seriously. “Antibiotics are not meant to be used carelessly,” he said.