Nigeria's states activate Ebola plans after the Abuja case
From Kano to Ekiti, state health teams opened emergency centres, reactivated isolation units and stepped up surveillance, while the Senate moved to update quarantine law.
Abuja — Within a day of Nigeria confirming an imported Ebola case in Abuja, states across the country put their own plans into action, Leadership reports. The federal government, with the WHO, Africa CDC and the NCDC, has activated an incident management system, and contact tracing is under way.
What the states did
- Kano: the state Centre for Disease Control activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC); its director-general, Professor Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, urged calm and precautions.
- Niger: surveillance officers and response teams deployed for contact tracing and referral; the PHEOC is on heightened alert. Health Commissioner Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana said no case had been detected in the state.
- Kaduna: all response pillars activated; state epidemiologist Dr Jeremiah Daikwo put rapid response leads on standby.
- Plateau: surveillance stepped up at airports, motor parks and health facilities.
- Kogi: public advisory on hand hygiene and avoiding contact with body fluids.
- Nasarawa: isolation centres reactivated and a task team set up.
- Ekiti: awareness drive aimed at health workers, community and faith leaders and traditional rulers.
- Oyo: Health Commissioner Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi said preparations began in June.
Federal and legislative action
The National Biosafety Management Agency offered its experts to the NCDC. The Senate passed resolutions, on a motion by Senator Francis Faduyile, calling for health screening of all international arrivals, exit screening during declared emergencies, emergency funds, funding for the NCDC and Port Health Services in the 2027 budget, and replacement of the old Quarantine Act.
Source: Leadership via AllAfrica, 22 October 2026.
