The Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, has called on the Federal Government to urgently provide adequate funding to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to strengthen the country’s preparedness against Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases.
Hon. Ogah made the call through a Motion of Urgent National Importance presented on the floor of the House of Representatives, warning that Nigeria faces an increased risk of Ebola importation following a recent outbreak of the disease in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The lawmaker explained that the outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a variant for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment. He noted that Nigeria’s porous borders and limited cross-border surveillance systems make the country particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases.
According to Hon. Ogah, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had already classified Nigeria as being at high risk of Ebola importation and activated emergency preparedness measures nationwide on May 25, 2026. However, he expressed concern that the agency’s ability to effectively respond to any outbreak has been severely weakened by inadequate funding.
The federal lawmaker disclosed that the NCDC reportedly received no operational funding in 2025, while capital releases for projects captured in its 2026 budget are yet to be made available. He warned that the situation has placed enormous pressure on the agency’s operations at a time when donor support is also declining.
Hon. Ogah highlighted several challenges currently facing the NCDC, including unpaid contractors and service providers, stalled laboratory and treatment centre projects, shortages of laboratory reagents and diagnostic materials, inadequate biosafety facilities, limited intensive care and oxygen support systems, as well as insufficient resources for the training and deployment of rapid response teams across the country.
He cautioned that failure to address these funding gaps could significantly weaken Nigeria’s disease surveillance system, outbreak response capacity, laboratory services, logistics coordination, and emergency preparedness efforts.
The motion urged the House to call on the Executive Arm of Government to immediately release adequate funds to the NCDC in line with approved budgetary allocations. It also sought to mandate the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to monitor the utilization of such funds and ensure accountability.
In addition, the motion called on Port Health Authorities and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance activities at the nation’s borders and points of entry to prevent the importation of Ebola and other infectious diseases into the country.
Hon. Ogah stressed that protecting Nigerians from deadly epidemics requires proactive investment in public health infrastructure and emergency response systems.
“Nigeria cannot afford to be caught unprepared in the face of a potential Ebola outbreak. Timely funding of the NCDC is critical to safeguarding lives, strengthening public health security, and ensuring the country is adequately prepared to respond to any emerging health threat,” he stated.
The motion has drawn attention to the growing need for sustained investment in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly in disease prevention, surveillance, and emergency preparedness, as global health experts continue to warn about the dangers posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
