Abuja, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion to help Nigeria prepare against any possible Ebola outbreak, following fresh cases of the deadly disease reported in some African countries.
The approval was announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, alongside the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Emerging Health Threats, which will be led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Federal Government says the move is aimed at ensuring Nigeria is fully prepared and can stop Ebola from entering the country.
The latest concern comes after Ebola cases were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, raising fears that infected travellers could spread the virus across borders.
Under the new plan, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will receive more support to strengthen disease monitoring, laboratory testing, emergency response teams, and public awareness campaigns.
Travellers arriving in Nigeria from countries considered high-risk, including Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya, and Ethiopia, will face stricter health screening at airports.
Authorities have also directed airports in Lagos and Abuja to immediately activate isolation and referral centres for anyone suspected of carrying the virus. Other airports across the country are expected to follow.
In addition, travellers from designated high-risk countries will now be required to complete a health declaration form using a QR code before arriving in Nigeria.
How Nigeria Defeated Ebola Before
Many Nigerians still remember the Ebola outbreak of 2014, when an infected Liberian-American traveller, Patrick Sawyer, arrived in Lagos carrying the virus.
At the time, there were fears that the disease could spread rapidly across the country. However, Nigerian health officials quickly traced people who had contact with infected persons, isolated suspected cases and launched a massive public awareness campaign.
The World Health Organization later praised Nigeria’s response after the outbreak was successfully contained with 20 confirmed cases and eight deaths.
Health experts say the current measures are designed to build on that success and help Nigeria respond even faster if another Ebola threat emerges.
Why Ebola Is Dangerous
Ebola is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. It spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person.
Symptoms include high fever, weakness, vomiting, severe bleeding and organ failure. In many cases, the disease can lead to death if not detected and treated quickly.
Although vaccines and treatments are now available, health experts warn that Ebola remains a major threat, especially in countries with weak healthcare systems.
States Asked To Get Ready
President Tinubu has directed states with international airports and major border routes to prepare emergency response plans and submit their funding needs to the Federal Government.
The new task force will work with aviation authorities, immigration officials, security agencies, and foreign missions to reduce the risk of the virus entering Nigeria through international travel.
Public health experts say preparing early is the best way to prevent an outbreak.
The government’s latest action serves as a reminder that even though Ebola cases are currently outside Nigeria, the country must remain alert and ready to respond at all times.