Ebola: Nigerian lawmakers demand release of outstanding funds for health agencies to strengthen response

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to strengthen preventive and emergency medical measures following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja. According to Punch Nigeria, the House called for the immediate release of outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies to improve preparedness and response capacity.

The motion, sponsored by Amobi Ogah, noted that a woman arriving from Uganda tested positive for the virus on October 20, 2026, and that health authorities have traced 44 contacts for isolation and testing. Premium Times reports that lawmakers also urged the executive to bolster surveillance and contact tracing to prevent further transmission.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified health surveillance and implemented tighter checks for passengers, airline staff, and airport workers across all airports. Daily Post Nigeria reports that FAAN is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Port Health Services, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to prevent the spread.

FAAN director Henry Agbebire stated that airport operations remain on high alert and noted that the early detection of the case and contact tracing of 44 persons indicates that health protocols are working.

Regarding the patient's travel, Capital FM Kenya reports that the Ugandan Ministry of Health stated there are no confirmed active Ebola cases in Uganda. The ministry noted the woman traveled through Uganda in early October to reach the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business before arriving in Nigeria, but she reportedly showed no symptoms while in Uganda.

The ministry added that the location of the initial exposure remains under investigation and that Nigerian authorities have yet to provide detailed information regarding her travel itinerary and clinical history.

Brief written by urgent.news from Premium Times, Punch Nigeria, Punch, Capital FM Kenya, Daily Post Nigeria — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.