Nigeria's Health Minister Secures ₦45bn for Airport Biosecurity

On October 29, the Federal Government approved ₦45.08 billion for integrated biosecurity and disease surveillance systems at five international airports in Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, during a briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

This project will be executed under a 20-year public-private partnership concession awarded to the BioHealth Consortium. The initiative aims to enhance disease surveillance at Nigeria's points of entry, improve early detection of infectious diseases, and foster coordination among public health and border security agencies.

The systems will be installed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport. The project will utilize aircraft wastewater monitoring, air and surface sampling, and advanced technologies to detect pathogens, alongside establishing modern laboratories for rapid diagnostic testing.