In response to recent Ebola outbreaks in neighboring African countries, Nigeria has significantly stepped up its preparedness measures, including the establishment of a Presidential Task Force and the allocation of substantial emergency funding. President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, signaling a robust governmental commitment to preventing the importation and spread of the virus within the nation.

An emergency fund of 10 billion Nigerian Naira (approximately 7.35 million U.S. dollars) has been immediately released to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and bolster national public health response capabilities.

The newly formed task force, chaired by the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will assess Nigeria's preparedness, develop response strategies, and coordinate efforts across various ministries, departments, agencies, and state governments.

Key measures being implemented include intensified passenger screening at all international airports, with enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols. Monitoring of travelers arriving on high-risk routes will be strengthened, and referral and isolation centers at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja are being activated. Additionally, Nigeria will implement a QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration system for travelers from designated high-risk countries.

States hosting international airports and major border corridors have been directed to submit detailed preparedness plans and funding requirements for coordinated implementation. The government is also reinforcing coordination with aviation, security, and diplomatic authorities to manage potential risks associated with international travel.

These proactive steps follow recent concerns raised by the resurgence of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Nigeria, which successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, is leveraging lessons learned from past experiences to strengthen its defenses against emerging public health threats.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has also emphasized ongoing preparedness measures, including strict border control, point-of-entry protocols, enhanced surveillance, and public awareness campaigns, assuring citizens that there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Nigeria currently.