The Senate has urged the Federal Government to release emergency funds to strengthen Nigeria’s disease surveillance system and enforce mandatory health screening at all international airports, seaports and designated land borders amid growing concerns over the spread of Ebola.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who warned that the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease across parts of Africa poses a serious risk to Nigeria’s public health system.

Faduyile said the outbreak, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), had spread to other African countries, including Uganda and Kenya, raising concerns about infected travellers entering Nigeria through third countries.

He also cited the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s assessment of the risk of Ebola importation, recalling that a single infected traveller brought the disease into Nigeria through Lagos in July 2014.

The Senate acknowledged existing government measures, including health declaration forms and enhanced screening at points of entry. However, lawmakers expressed concern that screening had been focused on travellers from selected countries, potentially leaving gaps in the country’s surveillance system.

They also raised concerns over inadequate staffing and equipment at several entry points, as well as the continued reliance of Port Health Services on the Quarantine Act of 1926.

The upper chamber warned that Nigeria’s existing disease burden, including Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria, makes stronger preparedness essential to prevent another major public health emergency.

Senate demands nationwide screening

The Senate called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC and Port Health Services to make health screening compulsory for all arriving international passengers, regardless of nationality or country of departure.

The proposed measures include health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom assessments. Enhanced screening would also apply to travellers who had visited or transited through affected areas within the preceding 21 days.

Lawmakers further called for exit screening of departing passengers during declared public health emergencies.

The chamber urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that all entry points have adequate numbers of trained Port Health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation facilities.

It also called on the Federal Government to ensure that isolation and treatment centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are adequately prepared to respond to suspected and confirmed cases.

Senate seeks emergency funds, new public health law

Beyond screening, the Senate urged the Federal Government to release emergency funding from the service-wide vote to strengthen disease surveillance and response capacity.

It also called on the relevant ministries responsible for finance, budget and economic planning to provide adequate funding for the NCDC and Port Health Services in the 2027 budget and release outstanding funds.

On the legal framework governing disease control, lawmakers called for the replacement of the Quarantine Act of 1926 with a modern public health law aligned with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

The proposed changes are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to infectious disease threats at its borders and within the country.

Nigeria confirms imported Ebola case in FCT

The Senate’s resolution comes as Nigeria responds to a confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Federal Government announced the case on Tuesday, October 20, following laboratory confirmation. The patient is a woman with a recent travel history involving Uganda who developed symptoms after returning to Nigeria.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the woman’s symptoms began on October 7. She sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11, and laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.

The patient is in isolation and receiving medical care, while health authorities have identified 44 close contacts for monitoring as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.

The ministry, the NCDC, the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant agencies are coordinating the response.

Uganda disputes claims of active outbreak

Ugandan authorities have rejected reports suggesting that the country currently has an active Ebola outbreak following Nigeria’s announcement.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health said the location where the Nigerian patient was exposed to the virus remains under investigation. It stressed that travel through Uganda alone does not establish that the infection occurred there.

The ministry also said it needed detailed information about the woman’s travel itinerary and clinical history to support further investigations and any necessary contact tracing.

Uganda previously recorded Ebola cases in 2026 but subsequently declared its outbreak over after meeting the required conditions.

Outbreak raises regional concerns

The case in Nigeria comes amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease linked to the DRC.

Kenya has also reported cases associated with the wider outbreak, heightening concerns about cross-border transmission and the movement of infected travellers.

The developments have renewed calls for stronger surveillance, early detection and effective coordination among African countries.

For Nigeria, the Senate’s demands place renewed emphasis on strengthening border screening, equipping health personnel and ensuring that emergency funds are available to support a rapid response.

The effectiveness of these measures will depend on how quickly the relevant authorities translate the resolutions into action as investigations and contact tracing continue.