“I found several culture plates where none of the six antibiotics placed on them had any effect on the bacteria,” recalled Habibullah Ibuowo, a 400-level Medical Laboratory Science student. His startling discovery occurred during a 10-week clinical training required for Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students. It was his first encounter with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a problem growing quietly but dangerously in labs worldwide.
Ibuowo’s experience sparked a deeper interest in sensitivity testing, where bacteria are cultured alongside antibiotics to determine which drugs can effectively treat infections. But what intrigued him most was the unsettling reality of bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotics. Motivated by curiosity and concern, Ibuowo sought more information on AMR and soon became part of a student-driven initiative fighting this escalating threat. He joined the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Young Antimicrobial Resistance Stewards (UDUYARS).
UDUYARS is no ordinary student club. This initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of students united by a shared mission: to fight the spread of AMR and confront related health challenges. Their efforts align with the global action plan on AMR and directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 – good health and well-being. At the local level, UDUYARS raises awareness and protects the community’s health.
