Nigeria's Ebola Preparedness at 59%, NCDC Reports

General Jide Idris, the Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), disclosed in an interview that Nigeria is only 59% prepared for a possible Ebola outbreak. He noted that while Nigeria has made strides in strengthening its health system, it is not fully prepared for a major Ebola emergency.

Key entry points for disease surveillance, such as international airports, remain critical, while unregulated movement at land borders poses a greater risk. Idris recalled Nigeria's success in containing Ebola in 2014 and mentioned improvements in the country's capacity to detect, isolate, and trace contacts.

The NCDC has expanded laboratory capacity and trained health workers to provide emergency response materials in states at higher risk. Currently, Nigeria is managing seven to eight disease outbreaks, including cholera and Lassa fever, which continue to cause deaths linked to persistent infectious diseases and cultural practices.

Idris urged state governments to take greater responsibility in preparedness rather than relying heavily on the federal government.