Nigeria’s top disease control agency has raised concerns about the country’s readiness for a possible Ebola outbreak, revealing that preparedness levels remain below expectations despite ongoing efforts.
The warning came from the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed that Nigeria is currently only 59 percent prepared for a potential Ebola emergency.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Idris said the country has made progress in strengthening its response system. However, he admitted that major gaps still exist, especially around border security and disease surveillance.
According to him, “Our recent latest level of assessment puts us at about 59 per cent. But that’s quite variable. You can’t be 100 per cent prepared, but the essence is that we keep preparing because things change.”
The statement comes at a time when health authorities across Africa remain alert over emerging disease threats.
The Ebola preparedness level has become a major topic of discussion among public health stakeholders. While international airports are under regular monitoring, Idris identified land borders as a key area of concern.
He explained that many travelers enter the country through routes that are difficult to monitor effectively.
“The biggest one again is our borders, porous borders. Not everybody comes in by air. You have people migrating by road and that kind of thing. These are the scares, and that’s why again it’s essential for us to prepare,” he said.
Furthermore, Idris acknowledged that the country still has significant work to do before it can confidently handle a major Ebola emergency.
“To be frank, we are not 100% ready, but we are improving our readiness,” he stated.
According to the NCDC chief, regular assessments are being conducted across states. These reviews focus on isolation centres, emergency response facilities, disease surveillance systems, and medical stockpiles.
The country is currently facing several other disease outbreaks that continue to place pressure on healthcare resources.
Idris revealed that Nigeria is battling between seven and eight active disease outbreaks at the sameEbola
“Aside from Lassa fever, we are managing about seven to eight outbreaks in this country right now. Cholera is there; it’s killing people,” he said.
In addition, he urged state governments to become more involved in disease prevention efforts.
Public health experts have repeatedly noted that disease outbreaks can spread rapidly when preventive measures are delayed. Therefore, stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities is considered essential.
However, the latest assessment serves as a reminder that vigilance remains necessary.
