Tinubu appoints Gbajabiamila to lead Ebola preparedness task force
…..Approves ₦10 billion emergency funding
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, and appointed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to head the body.
The Federal Government also approved the immediate release of ₦10 billion as emergency intervention funding to strengthen national preparedness and response systems amid renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the initiative is aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s readiness and preventing possible importation of the virus. It described the move as part of efforts to ensure that “Nigeria remains fully prepared to detect, contain, and respond swiftly to any public health threat.”
President Tinubu took the decision following a high-level stakeholder meeting involving key ministries and agencies in the health, aviation, immigration, and security sectors, as well as state government representatives.
The statement added that the funding will support the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), airport screening systems, isolation centres, and wider emergency response operations nationwide.
Officials said state governments with international airports and border corridors have been directed to submit preparedness plans and funding requirements for coordinated implementation.
Planned measures include intensified passenger screening at international airports, activation of isolation centres in Lagos and Abuja, deployment of QR-code-based health declaration systems, and disinfection of airport facilities.
The task force will also coordinate travel surveillance and risk management measures, including enhanced monitoring of passengers from designated high-risk routes and potential designation of controlled entry points.
