Nigeria has established a Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness and released 10 billion naira, equivalent to about $7.3 million, to strengthen the country’s response capacity against Ebola virus disease and other emerging public health threats.
The initiative focuses on early preparedness, stronger border surveillance, airport health screening, digital health declarations, emergency public health interventions, isolation and referral systems, and coordinated national action to prevent the importation of Ebola into Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the creation of the task force as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s readiness amid renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa. The task force will be led by Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, and will bring together relevant ministries, public agencies and state representatives.
The Nigerian government has also released 10 billion naira with immediate effect to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and finance urgent public health preparedness activities. The funding is expected to strengthen operational capacity, improve surveillance systems and support emergency response measures across the country.
Authorities are increasing health screening at international entry points, especially airports. Temperature checks will be intensified, passengers arriving from high-risk countries will be monitored more closely, and referral and isolation centres will be activated at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Nigeria also plans to introduce a mandatory digital health declaration system using QR codes for passengers arriving from, or transiting through, high-risk countries. Disinfection activities will also be carried out in airport facilities, baggage areas and cargo handling zones as part of preventive measures.
The task force will work with security, diplomatic and aviation authorities to review additional measures for flights coming from affected countries. These may include assigning specific airport terminals for high-risk flights and adjusting flight schedules to reduce possible exposure among travelers.
The decision comes as Ebola cases rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In the DRC, the outbreak has affected Ituri Province, while Uganda has also reported confirmed cases. Regional and international health agencies have increased preparedness efforts in response to the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Nigeria has not recorded any suspected Ebola case so far. However, the government is taking preventive steps to strengthen surveillance, improve response readiness and reduce the risk of the virus entering the country.
