Ebola resurgence: Tinubu releases N10bn emergency fund, orders airport screening

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved *N10 billion* as emergency intervention funding for Ebola Virus Disease preparedness and set up a Presidential Task Force to coordinate Nigeria’s response amid fresh outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, and Uganda.

Presidential spokesman *Bayo Onanuga* disclosed this Tuesday in a statement after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, *Femi Gbajabiamila*.

–Task force composition–

The Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats will be chaired by Gbajabiamila. Members include representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and state governments.

The N10bn will strengthen operational preparedness of the *Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC* and support critical national emergency response activities.

–Why now: Ebola resurfaces in DRC, Uganda–

Onanuga said the President’s approval followed the recent resurgence of Ebola in DRC and Uganda — both neighbouring countries with direct flight links to Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the meeting included the Ministry of Interior, FAAN, Nigeria Immigration Service, NCAA, Lagos State Government, and other border agencies.

–Directives to states and airports–

Tinubu directed all states hosting international airports and border corridors, plus relevant MDAs, to submit plans, funding needs, and intervention requirements for coordinated implementation.

–Key measures approved by the task force:–

1. Airport screening: Intensified passenger screening at all international airports with enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols
2. High-risk flights: Enhanced monitoring of passengers on routes including Air Uganda, Rwanda Air, Air Tanzania, Air Angola, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines
3. Isolation centres: Immediate activation of referral and isolation centres at Lagos and Abuja international airports. Others to follow
4. Health declaration: Mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration for passengers from or transiting through high-risk countries
5. Disinfection: Regular disinfection of departure halls, cargo, baggage areas, and airport facilities
6. Flight regulation: Task force to consult security, diplomatic, and aviation bodies on regulating flights from affected countries. Specific airports/terminals may be designated for high-risk flights, with adjusted timings to limit passenger interaction

–NCDC’s role–

The NCDC will lead technical response, surveillance, and public health advisories. Nigeria last recorded an Ebola case in 2014 during the West Africa outbreak, which was contained through rapid response.

Onanuga said the measures are precautionary to prevent importation and ensure Nigeria’s health system is “ahead of any threat.”