The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately release outstanding funds appropriated for health agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to the Ebola Virus Disease, following the confirmation of a case in Abuja.
The lawmakers also urged the government to strengthen preventive and emergency medical measures to contain the disease and prevent its spread across the country.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah, during plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the motion, Ogah described Ebola as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease that requires early detection, effective infection prevention and control measures, and coordinated public health interventions to prevent transmission and save lives.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the confirmation of an Ebola case in a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on October 20, 2026.
He said health authorities had traced 44 contacts for isolation and further testing, warning that delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating infected persons and tracing contacts could increase the risk of transmission.
Ogah also raised concerns over inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity, noting that these challenges could undermine efforts to contain the disease.
The House acknowledged the critical roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state ministries of health and port health authorities in strengthening the country’s epidemic preparedness.
It also stressed the need for coordination with the World Health Organisation and other international and regional public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s response measures align with current scientific evidence and international health regulations.
Presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the plenary adopted the motion unanimously, urging the Federal Government to mobilise public and private health institutions at the federal and state levels and place them on high alert.
The lawmakers specifically called on the government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies without further delay.
They said the funds would enable the agencies to intensify surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency response activities needed to prevent further transmission.
The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to assess the resources required to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity in line with prevailing epidemiological evidence and public health guidance.
As part of its oversight responsibilities, the House mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the Ebola situation and measures being taken to prevent further transmission.
The committee is expected to report its findings to the House for further legislative action.
