About 15 artists are expected to use art, music, drama and interactive games to promote awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage Nigerians to take practical steps to protect the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
The initiative, organised by Art for Health Initiative, will hold its second edition of Microbe Madness on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at CEP Entertainment and Media Hub, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
The event, themed “One Action for Our Future,” is aimed at making the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance easier for the public to understand through creative expression, interactive experiences and innovative storytelling.
Supported by DRASA, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) and BNL Healthcare, the programme will feature an art exhibition alongside animation, drama, music and games designed to educate participants on responsible medicine use and infection prevention.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines used to treat infections, making illnesses increasingly difficult or, in some cases, impossible to treat.
The growing threat undermines the effectiveness of medicines and increases the risks associated with medical procedures, including surgery, where effective antibiotics are often essential to preventing and treating infections.
Despite its implications for public health, awareness of AMR remains limited among many people, prompting the organisers to explore creative approaches to communicate its dangers and encourage behavioural change.
The Founder of Art for Health Initiative, Chidera Aneke, said protecting the future of medicine requires collective action, stressing that individuals have a responsibility to adopt practices that help preserve the effectiveness of available treatments.
“Protecting the future of medicine requires a collective effort. Everyone has a role to play, and our contribution is to make health information accessible through art, creativity and innovative storytelling”, she said.
She explained that the initiative seeks to ensure that participants not only enjoy the exhibition but also understand the message behind the artworks and identify practical steps they can take to protect public health.
According to her, art offers an effective means of communicating important health messages across generations and encouraging conversations that might otherwise be difficult to initiate.
Beyond the AMR exhibition, the event will feature a dedicated mental health corner showcasing artworks produced during the organisation’s “What We Carry” workshop, providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on emotional wellbeing.
Microbe Madness is part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to address antimicrobial resistance through creative public engagement. Its first edition was held in Enugu in 2024, with the Lagos edition extending the initiative to a new audience.
The programme is scheduled to coincide with the opening day of World AMR Awareness Week, observed from November 18 to 24, providing an opportunity to draw attention to the need for responsible medicine use and stronger infection prevention practices.
It will also precede Nigeria’s hosting of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026, placing the public engagement initiative ahead of a major international gathering on the issue.
The organisers said the event would bring the AMR conversation closer to communities by encouraging participants to recognise how everyday decisions can contribute to preserving effective medicines for present and future generations.
Journalists, artists, health professionals, students, community members and prospective partners have been invited to attend the event, engage with the artworks and help spread awareness beyond the exhibition.
