The The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to release emergency funds to strengthen the country’s disease surveillance system and introduce mandatory health screening at all international airports, seaports and designated land borders following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria.
The resolution was adopted on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after lawmakers considered a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District. The motion raised concerns about the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and the potential threat it poses to Nigeria’s public health system.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to release emergency funding from the Service-Wide Vote through the relevant ministries to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Port Health Services. Lawmakers argued that the agencies needed immediate financial support to strengthen surveillance, improve preparedness and prevent further transmission of the disease.
Under the proposed measures, all international passengers arriving in Nigeria would undergo compulsory health screening, regardless of their nationality or country of departure. The screening would include health declaration forms, temperature checks and assessments for symptoms associated with infectious diseases.
The Senate also called for enhanced screening of travellers who had visited or transited through Ebola-affected areas within the preceding 21 days. It further recommended exit screening for departing passengers during officially declared public health emergencies.
Lawmakers expressed concern that existing screening measures had focused on travellers from selected countries, potentially leaving gaps that could allow infected passengers to enter Nigeria through third countries. They also highlighted shortages of trained health personnel, screening equipment and isolation facilities at some entry points.
The upper chamber consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that international entry points were adequately equipped with trained Port Health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation rooms.
The Federal Government was also urged to ensure that isolation and treatment centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were ready to respond to potential cases.
The Senate’s intervention followed confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria involving a woman who had travelled to Abuja after visiting countries in East and Central Africa. Nigerian health authorities said the patient was receiving treatment in isolation, while efforts were underway to identify and monitor people who had come into contact with her.
According to reports, authorities had identified 44 contacts, including healthcare workers and the patient’s husband. Health officials were also tracing passengers associated with her international journey to assess possible exposure.
Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to release emergency funds to strengthen the country’s disease surveillance system and introduce mandatory health screening at all international airports, seaports and designated land borders following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria.
The resolution was adopted on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after lawmakers considered a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District. The motion raised concerns about the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and the potential threat it poses to Nigeria’s public health system.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to release emergency funding from the Service-Wide Vote through the relevant ministries to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Port Health Services. Lawmakers argued that the agencies needed immediate financial support to strengthen surveillance, improve preparedness and prevent further transmission of the disease.
Under the proposed measures, all international passengers arriving in Nigeria would undergo compulsory health screening, regardless of their nationality or country of departure. The screening would include health declaration forms, temperature checks and assessments for symptoms associated with infectious diseases.
The Senate also called for enhanced screening of travellers who had visited or transited through Ebola-affected areas within the preceding 21 days. It further recommended exit screening for departing passengers during officially declared public health emergencies.
Lawmakers expressed concern that existing screening measures had focused on travellers from selected countries, potentially leaving gaps that could allow infected passengers to enter Nigeria through third countries. They also highlighted shortages of trained health personnel, screening equipment and isolation facilities at some entry points.
The upper chamber consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that international entry points were adequately equipped with trained Port Health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation rooms.
The Federal Government was also urged to ensure that isolation and treatment centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were ready to respond to potential cases.
The Senate’s intervention followed confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria involving a woman who had travelled to Abuja after visiting countries in East and Central Africa. Nigerian health authorities said the patient was receiving treatment in isolation, while efforts were underway to identify and monitor people who had come into contact with her.
According to reports, authorities had identified 44 contacts, including healthcare workers and the patient’s husband. Health officials were also tracing passengers associated with her international journey to assess possible exposure.
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