The Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness as part of efforts to prevent the deadly virus from entering Nigeria, assuring citizens that the country remains Ebola-free but is taking no chances.
The move comes amid renewed concerns over the spread of the disease in parts of Africa, with authorities stressing that preparedness and prevention remain the country’s strongest line of defence.
Speaking after inaugurating the task force at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Task Force, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the government was determined to avoid a repeat of the 2014 Ebola outbreak that briefly threatened public health in Nigeria.
According to him, the administration has adopted a proactive strategy, focusing on prevention rather than waiting to respond to an emergency.
“We do not have any reported case of Ebola in Nigeria at the moment, and that is exactly why we must remain vigilant. We want to ensure that all the measures being put in place are preventive, not curative,” Gbajabiamila said.
He explained that several specialised subcommittees have already been established to coordinate surveillance, border security, immigration monitoring, emergency response and public health interventions.
The task force is expected to work closely with federal and state authorities to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness should any suspected case emerge.
Gbajabiamila noted that one of the major lessons from the 2014 Ebola response was the importance of coordination among government agencies and state authorities, especially in areas with international airports and major entry points.
Governors and representatives from states hosting international airports, including Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, participated in the meeting and pledged support for the preparedness strategy.
Beyond airports, authorities are also turning attention to Nigeria’s vast land borders, which officials say present a significant risk due to frequent cross-border movement.
“Many people focus on airports when discussing infectious disease outbreaks, but we are paying equal attention to land borders because of the high volume of migration through those routes,” Gbajabiamila stated.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) also confirmed that there is currently no recorded case of Ebola in the country.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said surveillance systems have already been strengthened at major points of entry, while emergency response mechanisms are being upgraded to ensure rapid detection and containment of any potential case.
“The objective is simple: we do not want Ebola in Nigeria. However, if a case somehow slips through, we must be prepared to identify it quickly and respond effectively,” Idris said.
He explained that the preparedness framework brings together multiple government institutions, including the ministries of health, interior and education, as well as immigration authorities, border agencies and state governments.
According to him, emergency preparedness requires a coordinated national effort built on strong communication, clear responsibilities and efficient command structures.
Public health experts say early planning and enhanced surveillance are critical in preventing outbreaks from spreading, particularly in countries with extensive regional travel and trade links.
Nigeria earned international praise for successfully containing the Ebola outbreak in 2014, and authorities say lessons from that experience are now being used to strengthen the country’s disease prevention and response systems.
With surveillance heightened nationwide and border monitoring intensified, the government says its goal remains clear: keeping Nigeria free from Ebola while ensuring the country is fully prepared to respond if the situation changes.