Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease preparedness as part of efforts to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria and maintain zero confirmed cases nationwide.
Gatekeepers News reports that the move comes amid renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which have heightened concerns across Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the task force and authorized the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen the country’s emergency response capacity. The fund is expected to boost the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and support critical public health interventions across the country.
The task force will be chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila and will include representatives from key ministries, departments and agencies, as well as state governments. Its formation followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened to assess Nigeria’s preparedness and develop strategies to prevent a possible outbreak.
As part of the preventive measures, Federal Government has directed intensified passenger screening at international airports, enhanced monitoring of travelers arriving through high-risk routes, and the activation of referral and isolation centres at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja. Authorities also plan to introduce mandatory QR code-based health declaration systems for passengers from designated high-risk countries.
The government has further instructed states with international airports and major border corridors to submit preparedness plans and funding requirements for coordinated implementation. Additional measures include the disinfection of airport facilities and closer collaboration with aviation, security and diplomatic agencies to regulate travel from affected regions.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, recently reassured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in the country. He said surveillance, laboratory preparedness, border screening and public awareness campaigns have been strengthened to ensure early detection and rapid response if any suspected case emerges.
Federal Government said the ultimate goal of the initiative is to keep Nigeria free of Ebola while strengthening the nation’s capacity to respond swiftly to any emerging public health threat.
