FG Assures Nigerians of Readiness to Contain Ebola Outbreak

FG Assures Nigerians of Readiness to Contain Ebola Outbreak

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of its preparedness to contain the Ebola outbreak, saying relevant health authorities and emergency response agencies have activated measures to detect cases, trace contacts and prevent further transmission.

The assurance was given by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, after an emergency meeting of the Task Force at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Gbajabiamila said the Task Force had been working behind the scenes since its inauguration in June 2026, noting that the surveillance systems and protocols put in place contributed to the early identification of the index case reported on Tuesday.

He explained that Nigeria had recorded approximately 44,000 flights into and out of the country since concerns about Ebola emerged in June, highlighting the importance of sustained surveillance and coordination among relevant agencies.

According to him, the infected passenger initially showed no symptoms, which reportedly developed four days after the woman arrived in Abuja. He said established identification procedures and public health protocols enabled authorities to detect the case.

“This also speaks to the country’s capacity and ability to deal with this disease as best as we can,” he said.

The Task Force chairman assured Nigerians that the government would strengthen existing protocols where necessary and ensure stricter enforcement of public health measures.

“The Task Force is on top of it. NCDC is on top of it; everyone is on deck. We must build community trust and avoid panic, but it’s also important to state clearly that this is a collaborative effort between the government and the people,” Gbajabiamila stated.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with health authorities and comply with public health directives in the collective interest of the country.

Similarly, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, said Nigeria had competent health professionals and established surveillance systems supported by public and private healthcare providers, security agencies, immigration authorities, aviation agencies and state-level institutions.

Pate disclosed that contact tracing was ongoing and individuals identified as contacts of the imported index case were being isolated in line with the response protocols.

He added that the Federal Government, working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), had activated the incident management system across relevant response areas.

According to the minister, response teams were working round the clock, while hospital preparedness and other emergency response capabilities had also been activated to contain the outbreak.

He noted that most states had developed response plans and that the government was mobilising available resources to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.

Pate urged Nigerians to adhere to public health guidelines and avoid spreading misinformation or unverified reports that could trigger unnecessary panic.

He expressed confidence in the experience of Nigeria’s public health professionals, recalling their role in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and supporting response efforts in other countries.

The minister stressed, however, that authorities would sustain their efforts and remain vigilant throughout the response.

Other officials who attended the emergency meeting included the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Bunmi Kuku; FAAN General Manager, Adamu Adamu; WHO Representative, Pavel Ursu; and Special Regional Representative to the Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Aliko Ahmed.

Also present were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations and Secretary of the Task Force, Oyinade Nathan-Marsh; Public Health Executive, Niniola Williams; FCT Mandate Secretary for Health and Environment, Dr Dolapo Fasawe; and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the State House Medical Centre, Dr Victoria Ogala.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Oduwole; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi; and Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Donald Spiff, participated in the meeting virtually.

The Federal Government reiterated the importance of public cooperation, effective surveillance, timely reporting and compliance with health advisories in preventing further transmission and protecting public health.

FG Assures Nigerians of Readiness to Contain Ebola Outbreak