The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, even as it moves to strengthen nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness systems following reported outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The assurance was contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which said all necessary precautionary measures have been activated to safeguard public health and improve early detection and rapid response capacity across the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria remains on high alert and is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services and other relevant agencies, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and regional health bodies.
According to him, “While Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, the Federal Government is taking all necessary proactive measures to strengthen national preparedness, surveillance and coordination mechanisms to protect the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.”
He explained that ongoing preparedness efforts include enhanced nationwide surveillance, stronger screening and health declaration procedures at all points of entry, improved coordination with state ministries of health, strengthened laboratory and diagnostic capacity, reinforcement of infection prevention and control measures in health facilities, and intensified public awareness and risk communication campaigns.
The Minister warned strongly against the spread of misinformation, noting that false or unverified health claims could trigger unnecessary panic and undermine national response efforts. He urged Nigerians to rely only on credible information from official health authorities and to report any suspicious or unusual health conditions promptly.
Public health experts note that Nigeria’s preparedness approach is designed to cover both urban centres and rural communities, as infectious diseases can spread rapidly through population movement, especially in areas with high mobility, limited health literacy, and delayed access to medical care. They stressed that early reporting and community awareness remain critical in preventing any potential outbreak from escalating.
The Minister also highlighted that Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 continues to guide current response strategies, particularly in areas of coordination, rapid response, and public cooperation. He further urged Nigerians across all communities to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms of illness, and seek immediate medical attention where necessary.
Healthcare workers nationwide have also been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols, promptly isolate suspected cases, and ensure timely reporting through established public health systems.
The Federal Government assured that it will continue to prioritize public safety by strengthening surveillance and response systems nationwide, while urging Nigerians to remain alert, cooperate with health authorities, and rely strictly on verified information to curb any potential health threat.
