Nigeria Establishes Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Approves N10 Billion Fund

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has greenlit the creation of a Presidential Task Force dedicated to preparing for the Ebola Virus Disease and other emerging public health threats. This significant move is accompanied by the immediate release of N10 billion as an emergency intervention fund.

The allocated funds are intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support national public health emergency response activities. The task force will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and will comprise members from relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), alongside state representatives.

This proactive measure follows the recent resurgence of Ebola in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The president's approval came after a crucial stakeholders' meeting convened to assess Nigeria's preparedness and devise strategies against potential Ebola importation.

Key measures to be implemented include intensified passenger screening at all international airports, featuring enhanced temperature checks and crowd control. The task force will also closely monitor passengers arriving on high-risk airline routes and immediately activate referral and isolation centers at Lagos and Abuja international airports, with plans to extend this to other airports. Mandatory QR code-based health declarations for passengers from high-risk countries and disinfection of airport facilities are also part of the plan. The task force is further directed to consult with security, diplomatic, and aviation bodies to regulate flights from affected countries and potentially designate specific terminals for high-risk flights.