Senate Urges NCDC to Enhance COVID-19 Response Measures

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate called on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to intensify surveillance, testing, and contact tracing in response to renewed concerns over COVID-19 cases. This resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Banigo from Rivers West, who raised alarms about the country's public health emergency response system.

She disclosed that a 53-year-old foreign national who entered Nigeria on March 17, 2026, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 16, 2026, after developing symptoms. The Senate expressed concerns about the potential for local transmission, as the timeline of infection exceeded expected incubation periods.

Lawmakers noted ongoing challenges affecting the NCDC, including procurement bottlenecks and inadequate funding, which undermine outbreak control efforts. The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC to fast-track funding and submit a detailed report on the country's preparedness status.

Additionally, they emphasized the need for state governments to strengthen their outbreak preparedness systems.