Lawmakers Demand Urgent NCDC Funding Amid Ebola Threat

Nigerian lawmakers are advocating for immediate funding for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in light of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which involves a rare strain of the virus. Amobi Ogah expressed concerns about Nigeria's vulnerability to the disease, particularly given significant movement of people across borders in the region.

The NCDC has classified Nigeria as facing a high risk of Ebola importation and has activated emergency preparedness measures. However, Ogah warned that the agency's ability to respond effectively is compromised by inadequate funding, as it received no operational funds for 2025 and has faced inconsistencies in capital releases from the approved 2026 budget.

This funding shortfall affects critical public health functions, including disease surveillance and outbreak response logistics. Ogah emphasized that the NCDC's current level of preparedness is threatened by financial challenges, which could significantly weaken Nigeria's capacity to tackle Ebola infections if urgent interventions are not provided.