Ebola Alert: Tinubu Unveils Task Force, Approves ₦10bn Preparedness Fund

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦10 billion preparedness fund and unveiled a national Ebola task force to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness amid renewed regional health concerns, directing immediate scale-up of surveillance, laboratory capacity, and rapid response systems across border states.

The President announced the measures in Abuja on Tuesday, saying the government would not wait for an outbreak before acting. He ordered the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to coordinate the task force alongside the Ministries of Health, Aviation, Interior, and Information, with clear protocols for early detection, isolation, and case management.

According to officials, the ₦10bn fund will be deployed to upgrade diagnostic laboratories, expand screening at land borders and airports, procure personal protective equipment, and train frontline health workers. States sharing borders with countries experiencing alerts have been placed on heightened vigilance, with emergency operation centres to be activated where necessary.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when the virus was swiftly contained, must guide current preparations. “We have done this before and we will do it again—better, faster, and more coordinated,” he said, adding that public communication would be intensified to counter misinformation and encourage early reporting of symptoms.

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The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that no confirmed Ebola case has been recorded in Nigeria, but noted increased regional alerts and cross-border movement risks. It urged citizens to observe basic hygiene, avoid contact with suspected cases, and cooperate with screening procedures.

Aviation authorities have been directed to enforce health declarations and temperature checks for inbound passengers from high-risk areas, while the Nigeria Immigration Service will work with health officials to strengthen land border monitoring. Emergency hotlines are being expanded to improve reporting and response times.

Public health experts welcomed the proactive stance but stressed sustained funding and coordination with states. They also called for community engagement, particularly in border communities, to ensure compliance and early detection.

Tinubu reiterated that safeguarding lives remains a top priority, assuring that the government would continue to invest in public health infrastructure and epidemic preparedness. The task force is expected to provide weekly situation reports and recommend further actions as needed.