The Federal Government has directed hospitals nationwide to prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention measures as Nigeria intensifies efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak, warning that 15 states are yet to update their response plans.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, gave the directive during a press briefing in Abuja, urging healthcare facilities to make adequate provisions for suspected cases and protect frontline health workers.

Pate said 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans, while the remaining 15 had been asked to accelerate preparations for a possible spread of the disease.

“We have notified all our hospitals to make room for bed capacity, isolation, and prepare their health workers in terms of infection prevention in these cases, because health workers are on the front lines,” he said.

The minister added that the Federal Government had notified the Federal Capital Territory authorities and was engaging state governments to ensure hospitals under their jurisdictions were adequately prepared.

The directive follows the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the FCT, prompting intensified contact tracing, surveillance and emergency preparedness to prevent further transmission.

Pate said the government was working through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure the infection did not spread beyond the index case.

“We don’t want it to go beyond it, and there is no need to panic, but we have to be vigilant,” he said.

He explained that the national response included identifying and monitoring contacts of the infected woman, preparing isolation facilities and strengthening hospitals’ capacity to detect and manage suspected cases.

According to him, the government had activated its incident management system, with the NCDC coordinating operations alongside FCT authorities and other relevant agencies.

Pate said most states already had response plans developed with NCDC guidance, but those that had yet to complete theirs had been directed to do so urgently.

“Most of the states have already response plans, which were developed with the guidance of the NCDC. Those that have not finished their response plans, we’ve asked them to quickly finish their response plans,” he said.

He disclosed that the government would meet with state commissioners of health on Friday and invite commissioners of information to strengthen coordination of emergency response measures and public communication.

The minister also urged private hospitals to strengthen surveillance and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities, noting that the infected woman had sought treatment at a private facility before the infection was confirmed.

“The private sector is important because, as you saw, this case went to a private facility. In 2014, it was a private facility,” he said.

Pate warned healthcare providers against managing suspected Ebola cases without notifying the relevant authorities, particularly when patients present symptoms and have a history of travel or possible exposure.

He added that additional funds had been provided to the NCDC to strengthen the response, while international health agencies continued to offer support.

The government had also invited genomics expert Professor Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University, Ede, to support investigations into the virus. Pate said genomic sequencing would help improve understanding of the pathogen and provide evidence to guide the response.

The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for the major West African outbreak of 2014–2016.

The minister urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle aches, particularly those with relevant travel histories or possible exposure, to isolate themselves and promptly contact public health authorities.

NEC Urges 15 States to Accelerate Preparedness

Pate also briefed the National Economic Council (NEC) on the outbreak during its 161st meeting, held virtually and chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the council received an update on the Ebola situation in the FCT and was assured that Nigeria had the institutional capacity to contain the disease.

Pate identified coordination and governance, screening at points of entry, laboratory testing capacity, logistics for essential supplies and personal protective equipment, and effective public communication as critical components of the response.

He commended the 21 states that had updated their response plans and urged the remaining 15 to establish the necessary preparedness and response mechanisms without delay.

“The Federal Government has competent authorities to deal with this. We have done it in 2014, and we have good public health institutions. Nigerians should be reassured,” he said.

“We must be vigilant, but not panic. People should respect public health information from trusted sources and not spread misinformation and false rumours.”

The minister promised regular updates on the outbreak and said he would soon receive a report on the case.

FG Intensifies Public Awareness Campaign

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed agencies under his ministry to intensify public education on Ebola prevention and containment.

The directive was issued to the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and News Agency of Nigeria.

In a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said accurate information was essential to containing the disease and preventing unnecessary panic.

“The Federal Government is taking every necessary step to contain this case and protect Nigerians. Accurate and timely information is one of our strongest defences. Our agencies must reach every community, in every language, with clear facts on how Ebola spreads, how to protect ourselves and where to report suspected cases,” the minister said.

He directed the agencies to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure all public information on the outbreak was verified and evidence-based.

The NOA was also tasked with using its nationwide offices to conduct grassroots sensitisation in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, community groups and the media.

The ministry said it would work with broadcast organisations to disseminate verified information, produce public enlightenment jingles and develop educational materials in Nigerian languages.

Idris urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely on official information and avoid circulating unverified claims on social media. He also advised the public to report suspected cases through the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line, 6232.

NEC Approves 90-Day Economic Action Plan

Beyond the Ebola briefing, the National Economic Council endorsed a 90-day economic action plan proposed by the Federal Ministry of Finance to consolidate the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

The plan focuses on reducing the cost of living, improving food affordability, attracting investment and accelerating projects expected to deliver direct benefits to Nigerians.

Presenting the proposal, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, outlined five priority areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of high-impact projects, resolution of investment bottlenecks and regulated household support.

The council also approved a national dashboard to track ongoing projects across the federation, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and accurate reporting of how revenue from fuel subsidy removal is being used.

Oyedele expressed optimism about the economic outlook and identified reducing headline inflation and interest rates to single digits by 2027 as key policy objectives.

Shettima urged state governors and relevant institutions to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms translated into affordable transport, improved healthcare, job opportunities and greater financial security.

“The first dividend of prosperity should be the confidence to plan a life. Our task is to make such confidence less dependent on fortune,” the vice-president said.

On the National Compressed Natural Gas Bus initiative, Shettima stressed that the programme should be assessed by its impact on commuters rather than the number of vehicles deployed.

“The cost of reaching a livelihood should never consume the livelihood itself,” he said, calling for transport systems that are affordable and accessible.

NEC Reviews Polio Eradication and Livestock Development

The council also received a report from its ad hoc committee on polio eradication, chaired by Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

It directed states to conduct post-campaign reviews, particularly in areas where children were missed during immunisation exercises and communities affected by insecurity.

The council emphasised timely release of counterpart funding, stronger routine immunisation, improved coordination with security agencies and closer cooperation among states.

It said sustained commitment from governors, traditional rulers and security agencies remained essential to eradicating polio.

NEC also considered a report from its ad hoc committee on livestock development, chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

The council acknowledged the sector’s potential to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods, noting that all states had expressed interest in supporting the Federal Government’s livestock initiatives.

It resolved to strengthen collaboration between federal and state governments to unlock the sector’s potential.