Tinubu Approves N10bn Emergency Fund to Boost Nigeria’s Ebola Preparedness

ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion in emergency funding to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak, following renewed cases reported in parts of Africa.

The approval was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, the intervention is aimed at reinforcing the country’s public health security systems and enhancing rapid response capabilities in the event of an outbreak.

“The fund will strengthen the operational preparedness of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and support critical national public health emergency response activities,” the statement said.

The funding will primarily support the activities of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which is leading the country’s disease surveillance and outbreak response efforts.

Presidential Task Force Established

As part of the government’s preventive measures, Tinubu also approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.

The task force will be chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila and will comprise representatives of relevant federal agencies and state governments.

The move comes amid growing concerns over Ebola outbreaks recently reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

According to the presidency, Nigeria is intensifying border and airport surveillance measures to prevent the importation of the virus. The directive includes enhanced passenger screening at international airports, temperature checks, and stricter crowd-control protocols.

Key agencies involved in implementing the measures include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, working in collaboration with state governments and other federal ministries.

Additional measures outlined by the government include increased monitoring of passengers arriving from high-risk destinations, activation of isolation centres at international airports in Lagos and Abuja, and mandatory health declaration procedures for inbound travellers.

The president also directed authorities to ensure regular disinfection of airport facilities, cargo terminals and baggage handling areas as part of broader preventive efforts.

The newly established task force has been mandated to coordinate with aviation, security and diplomatic agencies to regulate flights originating from affected regions and designate specific airport terminals for high-risk arrivals in order to strengthen containment procedures.

Health authorities have repeatedly urged vigilance, noting that early detection, effective surveillance and rapid response remain critical to preventing the spread of Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases.

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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.