Microbes employ diverse strategies to survive environmental stressors, host defenses, and antimicrobial interventions. Genetic adaptations, including mutations and horizontal gene transfer, facilitate the emergence of resistant strains, while phenotypic mechanisms such as biofilm formation, sporulation, and persister cell formation enhance survival under adverse conditions. Metabolic flexibility further enables pathogens to adapt to fluctuating nutrient and oxygen availability. These survival strategies have significant public health implications, contributing to treatment challenges, persistent infections, and outbreaks. Environmental persistence of pathogens and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains underscore the need for robust infection control and immunization strategies. Understanding microbial survival mechanisms is essential for mitigating infectious disease burden, particularly in high-risk settings such as Nigeria.