The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S-OIRF) to boost preparedness and response capacity across Nigeria, amid ongoing efforts to strengthen defences against public health emergencies, including Ebola Virus Disease and other infectious disease threats.
In a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information & Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the intervention forms part of broader national preparedness efforts and aligns with ongoing coordination activities under the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The approval, issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, covers the release of 50 per cent of the S-OIRF allocation, translating to ₦21.2 million for each state. The disbursement will be processed through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention gateway under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund framework, managed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and anchored on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund structure.
The Federal Government explained that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, the release is a preventive measure aimed at ensuring states can swiftly detect, contain, and respond to any potential outbreak. It described the approval as a special intervention designed to strengthen readiness while reinforcing strict financial discipline.
Prof. Pate, in his role as Chairman of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, instructed all beneficiary states to account for both current and past outbreak response allocations within a six-month period, stressing full compliance with financial reporting and retirement procedures.
He stated:
“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.
“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support States to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources.”
The Ministry further clarified that the S-OIRF is a dedicated financing mechanism under the NCDC gateway of the BHCPF, structured to support states in enhancing disease surveillance systems, emergency preparedness, and outbreak response operations. States benefiting from the fund are expected to deploy resources strictly for approved interventions and comply with all accountability requirements.
Reaffirming its position, the Federal Government said it remains committed to strengthening national health security through sustained investment in preparedness systems, improved coordination, and effective response mechanisms across all tiers of government.
