President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, alongside the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against potential disease outbreaks.
The emergency intervention fund is expected to enhance the operational capacity of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical public health response initiatives across the country.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the newly created Task Force will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila. Membership of the committee will comprise representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, raising fears of possible cross-border transmission into neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
President Tinubu’s decision followed a high-level stakeholder meeting led by Gbajabiamila to assess the nation’s preparedness and develop strategies aimed at preventing the importation and spread of the deadly virus.
Participants at the meeting included officials from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Lagos State Government, and other relevant agencies.
As part of the preventive measures, the President directed all states with international airports and border entry points to submit detailed preparedness plans, funding requirements, and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.
The Task Force has also been mandated to intensify passenger screening at international airports through enhanced temperature checks, crowd management protocols, and stricter surveillance of travellers arriving through high-risk flight routes.
Airlines identified for increased monitoring include Air Uganda, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, TAAG Angola Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines, due to their connectivity to regions currently considered vulnerable to Ebola outbreaks.
Additionally, referral and isolation centres are to be immediately activated at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja, with similar facilities expected to be established at other airports nationwide.
The government further approved the compulsory use of QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration systems for passengers arriving from or transiting through designated high-risk countries. Airport terminals, cargo facilities, baggage handling areas, and other operational zones will also undergo routine disinfection as part of enhanced safety measures.
President Tinubu instructed the advisory group to engage security agencies, diplomatic missions, and aviation authorities on possible regulations affecting flights from affected countries. The Task Force is also expected to designate specific terminals or airports for high-risk flights to facilitate controlled screening, isolation, and monitoring procedures.
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The administration says the measures are aimed at safeguarding public health, strengthening disease surveillance, and ensuring Nigeria remains prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging health threats.
