Federal Government has intensified health surveillance measures at Nigeria’s airports, seaports, and land borders following growing concerns over the resurgence of the Ebola virus in parts of East and Central Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed on Tuesday that enhanced screening procedures have been activated nationwide as part of efforts to prevent the importation of the disease into Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the government assured Nigerians that no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease has been recorded in the country.
According to the ministry, the heightened measures are precautionary and aimed at strengthening national health security against the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola reported in some African countries.
The ministry stated that all incoming travellers at designated points of entry would undergo mandatory temperature checks using infrared thermal scanners and handheld thermometers, alongside health declaration and travel history assessments.
It added that travellers identified as high-risk or showing symptoms associated with Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers would be subjected to secondary screening, isolation, and immediate referral procedures.
“The ministry wishes to reassure Nigerians that there is presently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, heightened preparedness measures have been activated nationwide to prevent cross-border transmission,” the statement read.
The government further disclosed that disease surveillance systems across the country had been strengthened through enhanced Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response activities, community-based monitoring, and active tracking of public health alerts.
Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have also been placed on alert, while Rapid Response Teams at national and sub-national levels remain on standby for possible emergencies.
Healthcare facilities nationwide were directed to improve infection prevention and control measures, strengthen patient triage systems, and ensure immediate reporting and isolation of suspected cases.
The ministry advised Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources, and promptly report unusual illnesses or deaths to health authorities.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has expressed concern over what it described as a severe funding crisis affecting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The concern followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah.
Speaking during plenary, Ogah recalled that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had, on May 15, 2026, reported an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He noted that although the NCDC recently placed Nigeria on high alert over the risk of Ebola importation, the agency’s capacity to respond effectively had been weakened by inadequate funding.
According to the lawmaker, the NCDC received no operational funding in 2025, while no capital releases had been made from the agency’s approved 2026 budget allocation.
Ogah warned that the prolonged funding gap had negatively impacted outbreak response operations, laboratory services, disease surveillance, logistics coordination, and emergency preparedness activities nationwide.
He also revealed that laboratory reagents and essential screening materials were nearly exhausted, while several treatment centre and laboratory projects had stalled due to lack of funds.
Following the motion’s adoption, the House urged the Federal Government to immediately release adequate funds to the NCDC to enable the agency to meet its obligations and sustain emergency response operations.
The lawmakers also directed port health authorities to intensify border surveillance and screening to prevent the entry of infected persons into the country.
In addition, the House mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to monitor the utilisation of released funds and report back for further legislative action.
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