The Federal Government’s action comes against the backdrop of renewed Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which have raised concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission into Nigeria.
KaNo —
The Federal Government has approved the release of State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S-OIRF) to all states as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.
The development was disclosed on Saturday in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The statement said the approval was granted by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.
The funds will be released through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The government said the intervention is designed to complement ongoing efforts to strengthen national preparedness and response capacities, particularly in light of renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.
It also aligns with the work of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Despite the heightened alert, the government emphasised that Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease.
However, it noted that the proactive release of funds is intended to ensure that states are adequately equipped to respond swiftly in the event of any outbreak.
“The approval represents a one-time special dispensation to enable states to access critical preparedness funding amid growing concerns about emerging public health threats,” the statement read.
The ministry added that the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance systems, improving rapid response mechanisms, and ensuring the availability of essential resources needed to contain potential outbreaks.
As part of accountability measures, the minister directed all beneficiary states to properly account for the funds.
In his capacity as Chairman of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, Pate instructed states to retire both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months.
He also emphasised the need for strict compliance with established financial management, reporting, and accountability frameworks.
“Preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in protecting public health. While it is important that states have timely access to resources needed to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities, it is equally important that public funds are managed responsibly and accounted for in line with established regulations,” he said.
The Federal Government’s action comes against the backdrop of renewed Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which have raised concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission into Nigeria.
Health authorities have already initiated measures to mitigate this risk, including strengthening surveillance at airports and land borders, activating isolation and referral facilities, and improving coordination among health, aviation, and security agencies.
Recent data from the DRC indicates a worsening outbreak situation.
The country has reported a record daily increase in Ebola infections, with 72 new cases confirmed within a 24-hour period, bringing the total number of infections to 782.
The death toll has also risen significantly, with 32 additional fatalities pushing the total number of deaths to 181.
The outbreak, which is centred in the eastern Ituri province, has been complicated by regional insecurity, limited access to affected communities, and challenges in contact tracing.
Officials say contact tracing coverage has dropped to 56.5 per cent, far below the recommended threshold of 95 per cent needed to effectively contain the virus.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the spread of the virus into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, as well as across the border into Uganda.
The current outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, unlike the more common Zaire strain.
Although the Bundibugyo strain has a lower fatality rate—estimated at 22.8 per cent—it still poses a significant public health risk.
International health organisations have expressed concern over the scale of the outbreak. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) warned that significant gaps in surveillance and testing mean that the true extent of the outbreak may not yet be fully understood.
Similarly, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has called for increased support to affected countries, urging partners and donors to mobilise resources to strengthen response efforts and save lives.
In Nigeria, the NCDC has raised alarm over the country’s vulnerability to Ebola importation.
In a recent risk assessment, the agency classified the threat level as high, citing ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, as well as increased international travel and cross-border population movement.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, said the risk assessment also highlighted the possibility of delayed detection due to overlapping symptoms with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.
“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to ongoing transmission in affected countries, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition,” the agency said.
To address these risks, the agency said it is working closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance systems, enhance laboratory testing capacity, and intensify public awareness campaigns.
Experts say Nigeria’s proactive approach, including the release of outbreak response funds, is critical in preventing a repeat of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which claimed lives and strained the country’s healthcare system before it was successfully contained.
Public health analysts have also stressed the importance of sustained investment in health infrastructure, timely data reporting, and community engagement in managing infectious disease threats.
As regional outbreaks continue to evolve, authorities say vigilance, preparedness, and coordinated response efforts remain essential to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of Ebola into Nigeria.
