President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, October 22, 2026, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to prioritize preventive action and early interventions aimed at eliminating infectious diseases, including the Ebola virus, across Nigeria and the West African sub-region. ​
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a high-level engagement with health sector stakeholders and regional medical experts, the President emphasized that proactive public health measures remain the nation’s strongest line of defense against epidemic outbreaks. ​
Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu highlighted the critical need for strengthened health security protocols, robust surveillance, and seamless inter-agency collaboration. ​”Our focus as a government is shifting heavily toward prevention and immediate containment,” President Tinubu stated.
“We are working tirelessly with local and international public health authorities to deploy preventive strategies to eliminate dangerous infections like Ebola before they escalate into national crises.” ​The President pledged continuous executive backing for medical professionals and disease response frameworks, promising sustained investment in frontline health infrastructure and research.
​The President’s remarks come as government agencies step up response protocols following a confirmed imported Ebola case involving a traveler arriving in the Federal Capital Territory from East Africa. ​Providing further details on the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced that public enlightenment channels have been deployed nationwide to keep citizens informed and curb misinformation.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have been tasked with broadcasting clear safety guidelines. Key contacts associated with the confirmed patient have been placed under strict 21-day monitoring and a temporary no-fly list to prevent further transmission.
The public has been advised to remain calm and report any suspected symptoms via the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) toll-free line at 6232. ​In addition, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reassured the public that state health facilities, the Presidential Task Force on Ebola, and the NCDC are fully equipped and actively monitoring points of entry across the country. ​
President Tinubu concluded by calling on healthcare practitioners, community leaders, and regional partners to remain vigilant, emphasizing that collective discipline and rapid response are paramount to preserving public health.
