FG Orders Tighter Ebola Screening at Nigeria’s Entry Points

The Federal Government has ordered stricter enforcement of Ebola Virus Disease screening and other health protocols at Nigeria’s designated entry points following concerns over reported non-compliance.

The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on October 22, 2026, and signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

According to the ministry, the order followed concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser over reported breaches of the approved Ebola entry protocols.

The ministry directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies, health institutions and other stakeholders to ensure consistent, effective and non-discriminatory enforcement of the measures.

The protocols require compliance with prescribed screening procedures, health declaration requirements, surveillance measures and other applicable entry regulations.

The government also called for stronger coordination, communication and information-sharing among agencies responsible for implementing the measures to improve disease surveillance, support early detection and enable prompt responses to potential public health threats.

Relevant institutions were instructed to document and promptly report any actual or attempted breaches of the approved protocols through established channels.

The ministry further directed agencies to support officials responsible for enforcing the measures and establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms to identify and address lapses.

It stressed that personnel assigned to carry out screening and enforcement duties must be allowed to perform their responsibilities professionally and without undue interference.

The circular also directed the immediate and widespread circulation of the advisory to relevant departments, field offices and personnel to ensure that all concerned officials understood their responsibilities.

The directive comes as Nigeria strengthens its public health response following confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory. Health authorities have also begun contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Ebola is a serious viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contaminated materials.

The Federal Government said effective implementation of the protocols, inter-agency coordination and accountability were essential to reducing the risk of cross-border transmission and protecting public health.

It urged all relevant institutions to treat the directive as a priority and maintain strict compliance with the approved screening measures.