Tinubu approves presidential task force, releases ₦10bn for Ebola preparedness

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and other emerging public health threats, in a proactive move to strengthen Nigeria’s health security system.

The President also authorized the immediate release of ₦10 billion as emergency intervention funding to enhance the country’s readiness against any potential outbreak.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the fund is aimed at boosting the operational capacity of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The newly established task force will be chaired by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and will comprise representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments.

The development follows recent Ebola outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, prompting heightened concern over the risk of cross-border transmission.

The presidency said the decision was reached after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to assess Nigeria’s preparedness and formulate strategies to prevent the importation of the disease.

Participants at the meeting included officials from the Ministry of Interior, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Lagos State Government and other key agencies.

As part of the emergency measures, President Tinubu directed all states with international airports and border corridors to submit preparedness plans, funding requirements and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.

The government also ordered:

Intensified passenger screening at all international airports.

Enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols.

Increased monitoring of passengers arriving through high-risk routes, including Air Uganda, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, Air Angola, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Immediate activation of referral and isolation centres at Lagos and Abuja international airports.

Mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declarations for travellers from designated high-risk countries.

Disinfection of airport facilities, cargo terminals and baggage handling areas.

The President further directed the task force to work with aviation, security and diplomatic authorities on possible flight regulations involving affected countries, including the designation of specific airports or terminals for high-risk flights and adjustments to flight schedules to minimise contact between passengers.

The move is part of efforts to prevent a repeat of major public health emergencies and ensure Nigeria remains prepared for emerging infectious disease threats.