The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians of its capacity to contain the Ebola virus disease following the confirmation of an imported case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The assurance came after an emergency meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The task force, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said existing surveillance systems and coordinated efforts among relevant agencies contributed to the early identification of the infection.
Gbajabiamila explained that the task force had been working behind the scenes since its establishment in June to strengthen the country’s preparedness against possible Ebola cases.
He noted that Nigeria had recorded approximately 44,000 flights into and out of the country since June, stressing that the work of health officials and other agencies was crucial to identifying the imported case.
According to him, the infected woman did not show symptoms when she arrived in Nigeria, with symptoms reportedly developing four days later.
He said the government would strengthen existing protocols and ensure stricter enforcement of preventive measures to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Contact Tracing and Surveillance Intensified
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners, had activated emergency response systems.
He disclosed that contact tracing was ongoing, with 44 contacts identified for monitoring at the time of the announcement.
Health authorities have also intensified surveillance, isolation arrangements and infection prevention measures while coordinating with state governments and healthcare facilities.
The government has urged public and private hospitals to remain vigilant, promptly identify suspected cases and adhere strictly to established infection prevention and control procedures.
FG Warns Against Misinformation
The task force appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Pate emphasised that containing the infection would require cooperation between the government, healthcare professionals and members of the public.
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s public health expertise, recalling the country’s successful response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
The government said it would continue strengthening surveillance and response capacity as investigations and contact-tracing efforts progress.
Nigerians have been advised to follow official health guidance, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of potentially infected individuals.
