FG Tightens Ebola Screening as Nigeria Moves to Seal Entry-Point Gaps

The Federal Government has stepped up measures to prevent the further spread of Ebola in Nigeria by directing relevant agencies and health institutions to strictly enforce approved screening protocols at the country’s designated points of entry.

The directive comes amid heightened concerns over the potential for cross-border transmission following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare issued the directive after concerns were raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over reported breaches of the government-approved Ebola entry protocols.

In a circular dated October 22, 2026, the ministry instructed ministries, departments and agencies, health institutions and other relevant stakeholders to ensure full compliance with the measures already established to detect and prevent the importation of the virus.

The circular was signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

Government demands strict compliance

According to the ministry, the measures must be implemented consistently and without discrimination across all designated entry points.

The government said strict enforcement was necessary to reduce the possibility of Ebola being introduced into the country through international travel and to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to detect suspected cases at an early stage.

Among the requirements are Ebola screening procedures, health declarations, surveillance activities and other applicable health protocols for travellers entering Nigeria.

Authorities have also been directed to strengthen communication and information-sharing between agencies involved in the implementation of the measures.

The Federal Government believes improved coordination will help officials identify potential cases more quickly and ensure that suspected infections are referred for appropriate investigation and response.

The ministry also instructed relevant institutions to document and report any actual or attempted breaches of the approved protocols through established reporting channels.

It said institutions responsible for implementing the measures must have effective monitoring and accountability systems capable of identifying weaknesses and ensuring that corrective action is taken.

ONSA raises concerns over breaches

The latest directive followed concerns from the Office of the National Security Adviser regarding reported violations of the established Ebola protocols.

The development has prompted the health authorities to place greater emphasis on compliance at Nigeria’s airports and other designated points of entry.

The government has also stressed that personnel responsible for enforcing the health measures must be allowed to perform their duties professionally and without interference.

This is intended to ensure that screening officers can properly assess travellers and take appropriate action whenever an individual meets the criteria for further medical evaluation.

The ministry has therefore directed the immediate circulation of the advisory to relevant departments, field offices, units and personnel so that officials involved in the response understand their responsibilities.

All concerned government agencies have been told to treat the directive as a priority and immediately address any shortcomings identified in the implementation of the protocols.

Confirmed Ebola case heightens vigilance

The stronger border measures come after Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja.

The case involves a woman who travelled into Nigeria from Uganda and subsequently developed symptoms after her arrival. Her infection was confirmed as Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The case has prompted health authorities to intensify surveillance and contact-tracing activities in an effort to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that Nigeria confirmed the case on October 20, noting that the patient had travelled from Uganda to Nigeria on an international flight. It also reported that close contacts were being monitored as investigations continued.

The government’s response has included strengthening surveillance at airports and other entry points, with authorities also working to ensure that screening equipment is operational.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, previously disclosed that the government was intensifying surveillance and ensuring that thermal imaging equipment at entry points was functional.

Screening expected to play key role

Health screening at international entry points remains one of the major measures being used to reduce the risk of imported infections.

The Nigerian Senate had earlier called for mandatory screening of passengers arriving through international airports, seaports and designated land borders.

Lawmakers recommended measures including health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom assessments for arriving travellers. They also called for enhanced screening of passengers who had travelled through or visited affected areas during the preceding 21 days.

The Senate also raised concerns about staffing, equipment and emergency facilities at some entry points, urging the government to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to suspected cases.

The recommendations came against the backdrop of concerns that restricting screening to travellers from particular countries could leave gaps in Nigeria’s surveillance system.

Agencies ordered to work together

The Federal Government’s latest directive places responsibility on several institutions to ensure the measures are properly implemented.

Health authorities, border agencies and other relevant government bodies are expected to coordinate their activities, exchange information and promptly respond to possible breaches.

The ministry said effective collaboration would strengthen disease surveillance and improve the country’s ability to detect and respond to public health threats before they develop into wider outbreaks.

Institutions have also been encouraged to provide adequate support to personnel carrying out Ebola-related duties at entry points.

The government wants the enforcement process to remain professional while ensuring that officials have the resources and institutional backing required to carry out their responsibilities.

Nigeria seeks to prevent wider transmission

Nigeria’s renewed focus on entry-point screening reflects the wider concern surrounding the movement of infectious diseases across international borders.

The country has previous experience dealing with Ebola after an imported case triggered an outbreak in 2014. The incident demonstrated how quickly a single imported infection can create a public health challenge if transmission is not identified and contained early.

With a confirmed case now reported in the FCT, authorities are seeking to prevent a repeat of that experience by strengthening surveillance and closing gaps in the implementation of existing protocols.

The government’s position is that early detection, effective contact tracing, proper monitoring and strong coordination between agencies remain essential to containing the virus.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has consequently urged all relevant institutions to give the latest directive the highest priority.

For travellers entering Nigeria, the strengthened measures mean that existing health declarations, screening and surveillance requirements are expected to be enforced more strictly at designated entry points.

The government has maintained that the objective is not only to respond to the current situation but also to protect Nigerians against the possibility of further transmission.

As health authorities continue monitoring the confirmed case and identified contacts, the effectiveness of the strengthened entry-point measures will remain an important part of Nigeria’s broader Ebola response.

The Federal Government has therefore called for sustained compliance, improved accountability and cooperation among all agencies involved in protecting the country’s borders and public health.

Officials say these measures are necessary to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission and safeguard both the health and security of Nigerians.