President Bola Tinubu has authorized the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, alongside the immediate release of N10 billion in emergency intervention funding. This initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against the potential importation of the virus, as announced on Tuesday, June 9, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The announcement detailed a series of measures designed to prevent Ebola from entering the country. The President’s approval followed a stakeholder meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. During this session, government officials and key agencies reviewed Nigeria’s current level of preparedness and developed strategies to guard against a possible outbreak, amid rising Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The N10 billion emergency fund will bolster the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and enhance the country’s public health response capacity. The newly established Presidential Task Force on Ebola, chaired by Gbajabiamila, includes representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments. This task force is mandated to coordinate efforts across sectors, ensuring a unified approach to public health threats.
The meeting that preceded the decision brought together officials from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Lagos State Government, among other stakeholders involved in border management and disease surveillance. As part of the response plan, President Tinubu directed states with international airports and border corridors, alongside relevant MDAs, to submit their preparedness plans, funding requirements, and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.
The Federal Government outlined several immediate measures to strengthen surveillance and reduce the risk of Ebola entering Nigeria. Additionally, the Presidential Task Force has been mandated to consult with security, diplomatic, and aviation authorities on possible regulations affecting flights from affected countries. The body will also examine the designation of specific airports or terminals for high-risk flights and consider flight scheduling adjustments to minimize contact between travelers and local populations. While these health measures take precedence, broader economic indicators such as Nigeria Construction Costs and Nigeria Banks Npl remain under review by financial analysts. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s South-south & other regions continue to monitor cross-border health risks, and Nairametrics Nominates Mtn for its role in digital payments, which supports Nigeria’s National Payment system resilience during public health emergencies.
