The Federal Government has announced plans to restrict inbound flights from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan as part of urgent measures to prevent a potential Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. This decision follows a high-level strategic meeting held on Thursday at Victoria Island, Lagos, where officials reviewed the country's Ebola preparedness and emergency response framework amid renewed global health concerns.
Meeting Highlights
The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi. Discussions focused on enhancing border health measures, such as stricter screening protocols and possible travel restrictions for individuals arriving from affected countries where Ebola outbreaks have been reported.
Government Assurance
Speaking after the meeting, Gbajabiamila confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed on the situation. He assured that the Federal Government would take all necessary steps to prevent any outbreak in Nigeria. “We have a health scare, which is Ebola, and we all know what happened the last time. The situation is worsening globally, and we don’t want to take any chances,” he stated.
Gbajabiamila explained that the discussions covered multiple preventive measures, including the possibility of restricting flights from high-risk countries, isolating passengers showing symptoms, and strengthening surveillance at entry points. “We also considered the use of dedicated isolation protocols at terminals for passengers arriving from affected regions, as well as reinforcing existing health procedures. Prevention is better than cure, and we must be prepared for any eventuality,” he added.
Border Monitoring
Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, emphasized that all points of entry into the country would be placed under strict monitoring. He highlighted the need for closer coordination between the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the NCDC to enhance early detection and rapid response. The NCDC Director-General confirmed that preparedness plans have been activated across all 36 states, with intensified public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on prevention measures and response protocols.
