Nigeria at 59% Ebola preparedness amid border concerns - NCDC

NCDC Director General Dr. Jide Idris reveals Nigeria is only 59% prepared to respond to potential Ebola outbreak, despite ongoing efforts to strengthen public health emergency response system. The assessment, disclosed during interview on Arise Television Monday, June 1, shows progress in disease surveillance but significant gaps remain at nation's entry points and border communities.

Teams have been deployed nationwide to evaluate isolation centers, emergency operations centers and laboratories as Nigeria faces Ebola resurgence in parts of Africa including Uganda and DR Congo. Idris identified porous borders as a major challenge, warning uncontrolled movement across unofficial entry routes could increase disease importation risk.

Despite admitting the country isn't fully prepared, NCDC expressed confidence in response capability citing successful 2014 containment. "You can never be 100 per cent prepared, but the essence is that we continue to improve our readiness because situations keep changing," Idris stated. Should travelers be extra cautious at border communities and international airports in the coming weeks?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/02/nigeria-only-59-prepared-for-ebola-outbreak-ncdc-dg/