Published: June 9, 2026
By SUNTV Global Channel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats as Nigeria intensifies efforts to prevent the deadly virus from entering the country.
The President also approved the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen the nation’s emergency response capacity and boost preparedness against any potential Ebola outbreak.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the intervention fund will support the operations of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other critical public health agencies responsible for disease surveillance and emergency response.
The newly inaugurated task force will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and will include representatives from relevant ministries, government agencies, and state governments.
The development comes amid growing concerns over Ebola outbreaks reported in some African countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting Nigerian authorities to strengthen preventive measures.
As part of the new directives, President Tinubu ordered all states with international airports and border corridors to submit detailed preparedness plans and funding requirements to support a coordinated national response.
The Federal Government has also directed the immediate enhancement of passenger screening at all international airports, including stricter temperature checks, improved crowd-control measures, and increased surveillance of travellers arriving from high-risk routes.
Airlines placed under enhanced monitoring include Air Uganda, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, Air Angola, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.
In addition, referral and isolation centres are to be activated immediately at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja, while similar facilities will be established at other airports across the country.
The government further announced the introduction of mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declarations for passengers travelling from or passing through designated high-risk countries.
Authorities have also been directed to disinfect airport facilities, baggage areas, cargo sections, and departure halls as part of broader preventive measures.
President Tinubu further instructed the task force to work closely with aviation, security, and diplomatic agencies to regulate flights from affected regions and strengthen Nigeria’s border health security.
The Federal Government says the measures are aimed at ensuring Nigeria remains vigilant and fully prepared against any potential Ebola threat.
