The Federal Government has ordered stricter Ebola screening at Nigeria’s entry points following reports of breaches in approved safety protocols, amid concerns over the country’s preparedness to contain the disease.
The directive followed concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser over reported non-compliance with screening requirements.
In a circular dated Oct. 22, 2026, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare directed relevant agencies to enforce screening procedures, health declarations and surveillance measures.
The circular, signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollum, on behalf of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stressed the need for “consistent, effective and non-discriminatory enforcement” of the approved measures.
The ministry also directed relevant institutions to document and report actual or attempted breaches of the protocols.
It called for improved coordination and information-sharing among agencies to strengthen surveillance and ensure early detection of suspected cases.
The warning comes after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory on Oct. 20.
The patient, a woman who recently travelled from Uganda, is receiving treatment in isolation, while health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring.
The World Health Organisation said the case involved the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is part of an outbreak that has spread across several African countries.
Meanwhile, there are gaps in public awareness, infection prevention facilities and emergency preparedness across several states.
In Lagos, the infectious disease isolation facility in Yaba has been converted into a nursing school, raising some more concerns.
Some states are still arranging to procure protective equipment.
The Federal Government had earlier warned that 15 states had yet to update their Ebola preparedness and response plans, raising concerns about the country’s ability to respond effectively if further infections occur.
Comments
Add a comment