FG sets up Ebola preparedness task force, targets continued zero-case status

The federal government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness as part of efforts to maintain Nigeria’s zero-case status and strengthen the country’s readiness to respond to any potential outbreak.

Chairman of the task force and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced the initiative on Thursday during the inauguration ceremony at the State House in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila said Nigeria has recorded no Ebola cases and is intensifying preventive measures to ensure the situation remains unchanged.

According to him, the government’s approach is focused on prevention, drawing on lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak to build stronger surveillance and response systems.

“We have covered a lot of ground, and there are presently no reported cases in the country, which is good news. That is why all hands must be on deck to ensure that preventive measures are prioritised rather than curative measures,” he said.

He noted that sub-committees had been established to address critical areas of concern and expressed confidence that Nigeria could become a continental leader in epidemic preparedness and response.

“We have set up sub-committees to address key areas of concern, and hopefully Nigeria will take the lead among African nations. We will not follow; we will lead,” Gbajabiamila said.

The task force is expected to coordinate efforts among federal agencies, state governments and international partners to strengthen preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.

Gbajabiamila said collaboration had been enhanced with states hosting international airports, including Lagos State, Kano State, Rivers State and Enugu State, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, to ensure effective monitoring and rapid response mechanisms.