Nigeria Only 59% Ready for Ebola Outbreak – NCDC

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has disclosed that Nigeria is only 59 per cent prepared to respond to a potential Ebola outbreak, warning that significant gaps still exist in the country’s public health preparedness framework.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Idris said a recent national risk assessment revealed shortcomings in several critical areas, although efforts are ongoing to strengthen the country’s readiness against the deadly viral disease.

Risk Assessment Reveals Preparedness Gaps

According to Idris, the assessment evaluated Nigeria’s capacity to respond to an Ebola outbreak by examining key components of the public health system, including isolation centres, emergency response infrastructure, stockpiles of medical supplies, and public health emergency operations centres.

He said the findings showed that while Nigeria has made progress since previous outbreaks, the country is not yet fully prepared to handle a large-scale Ebola emergency.

“We are not 100 per cent ready, but we are improving steadily,” Idris stated, adding that the assessment identified specific weaknesses that authorities are actively working to address.

The NCDC chief explained that preparedness remains an ongoing process that requires constant review and adaptation as new public health threats emerge.

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Border Control Remains Major Concern

Idris identified points of entry into the country as one of the most critical areas of concern in preventing the spread of Ebola.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health has already developed and circulated protocols for relevant government agencies to strengthen screening and monitoring of international arrivals, particularly through airports.

He explained that the primary objective is to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria in the first place.

“The first line of defence is to stop the disease from coming into the country,” he said.

The NCDC boss noted that authorities are working closely with agencies responsible for aviation and border management to ensure stricter surveillance of travellers arriving from countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks.

Porous Land Borders Pose Greater Risk

Despite measures being implemented at airports, Idris warned that Nigeria’s extensive and porous land borders present a more complex challenge.

He explained that while air travel can be monitored through established screening procedures, tracking individuals who enter the country through unofficial land routes remains significantly more difficult.

According to him, the movement of people across land borders without proper documentation or health screening increases the risk of disease importation and complicates surveillance efforts.

Public health experts have long identified Nigeria’s land borders as a vulnerability in disease prevention strategies due to the high volume of cross-border movement within West and Central Africa.

NCDC Intensifies State-Level Preparedness Efforts

To improve readiness across the country, Idris said the NCDC has deployed technical advisors to work with state governments and health authorities.

The advisors are helping state commissioners and health officials evaluate existing infrastructure, strengthen response plans, and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.

He noted that preparedness efforts are being tailored to the specific needs and capacities of individual states to ensure a coordinated national response in the event of an outbreak.

The NCDC chief stressed that preparedness cannot be viewed as a one-time exercise but must be continuously updated to reflect changing realities and emerging risks.

Growing Concern Over Regional Ebola Outbreaks

The warning comes amid renewed concerns over Ebola transmission in parts of East and Central Africa.

The NCDC had earlier classified Nigeria as facing a high risk of Ebola importation due to ongoing outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Health authorities have continued to monitor developments in the affected countries while strengthening surveillance systems nationwide.

Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after the virus entered the country through an infected traveller, an achievement that was widely praised by global health organisations.

However, officials have repeatedly cautioned that continued vigilance is necessary given the highly infectious nature of the disease and the increasing movement of people across international borders.

Authorities Push for Stronger Preparedness

As regional Ebola outbreaks persist, Nigerian health authorities are intensifying efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, improve emergency response capacity, and enhance coordination among federal and state agencies.

While the country has made notable progress in public health preparedness, Idris said the latest assessment serves as a reminder that more work remains to be done.

He expressed confidence that ongoing investments in infrastructure, training, surveillance, and border controls would help improve Nigeria’s preparedness level and reduce the risk posed by potential Ebola importation in the future.

Segun Lasisi

A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.