NCDC DG Says Nigeria Only 59 Percent Prepared for Potential Ebola Outbreak

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has revealed that Nigeria is only 59 percent prepared for a potential Ebola outbreak, based on a recent risk assessment of the country’s readiness. Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Idris said the assessment identified critical gaps that authorities are working to address, particularly at points of entry into the country, and that while the country is not 100 percent ready, preparations are steadily improving. 

He explained that the assessment looked at infrastructure, isolation centres, public health emergency operation centres, and stockpiles available in case of an outbreak. Idris noted that the federal Ministry of Health has issued protocols for relevant government agencies aimed at tightening controls on international arrivals through airports.

Idris said that one key area of concern is points of entry, because the primary objective is to prevent the virus from entering the country. He noted that a protocol was released by the federal Ministry of Health to be followed by different government agencies, particularly to control air traffic from airlines bringing passengers from affected regions. However, Idris warned that Nigeria’s porous land borders pose an even greater vulnerability, as travellers entering by road present a major surveillance challenge.

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Despite the identified gaps, Idris said the NCDC is working tirelessly to assess states’ readiness by sending advisors to state commissioners to guide them on infrastructure improvements and response planning. He emphasised that preparedness is a continuous process because circumstances change, and the goal is to keep improving. The NCDC had earlier warned that Nigeria faces a high risk of Ebola importation due to ongoing transmission in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.