The House of Representatives, has asked the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness to contain the Ebola Virus Disease and immediately release outstanding appropriated funds to health agencies to support surveillance, emergency response and efforts to prevent further transmission.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Amobi Ogah, member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers’ intervention came after reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja on Tuesday, raising concerns about the capacity of public health authorities to identify suspected infections promptly, trace contacts and prevent possible further transmission.
Ogah, while presenting the motion, described Ebola Virus Disease as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease requiring early detection, effective infection prevention and control measures, and coordinated public health intervention.
“It’s extremely disturbing that on October 20, 2026 an Ebola Virus case was confirmed in a woman arriving from Uganda in Abuja who tested positive. Health authorities traced 44 contacts for isolation and further tests,” he said.
The lawmaker warned that delays in detecting suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating infected persons, tracing contacts and providing timely medical care could increase the risk of transmission and place additional pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He also expressed concern that inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity could weaken efforts to contain the disease.
“The House is further concerned that inadequate public awareness, insufficient infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness, and limited emergency response capacity could undermine efforts to prevent and contain the Ebola outbreak.
“We recognise the critical roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, relevant state ministries of health, port health authorities, and other stakeholders in strengthening national epidemic preparedness and response.
“We acknowledge the importance of coordination with the World Health Organisation and other relevant international and regional public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s preventive and response measures are guided by current scientific evidence and international health regulations,” he said.
Following the presentation, the House, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, unanimously adopted the motion and called on the Federal Government to mobilise private, state and federal health agencies and place them on high alert.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds due to relevant health agencies without further delay.
They said timely access to the funds was necessary to enable the agencies to carry out their statutory responsibilities, particularly as surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency response activities become increasingly important.
The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to assess the additional resources required to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity, taking into account current epidemiological evidence and public health guidance.
In a related resolution, the lawmakers mandated the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the Ebola situation and the measures being implemented to prevent further transmission.
The committee is expected to report its findings to the House for further legislative action.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe illness caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. It can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contact with contaminated materials. It’s not generally transmitted through casual contact with an infected person who has no symptoms.
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