FG Releases Outbreak Response Funds to States, Orders Accountability Within Six Months
Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of outbreak preparedness and response funds to states across the federation as part of proactive measures to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, on June 20, 2026.
According to the statement, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the release of the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S-OIRF), authorising the disbursement of 50 per cent of the allocation, amounting to ₦21.2 million per state, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The Ministry explained that although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, the government is taking precautionary steps to ensure that states are adequately equipped to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response mechanisms in the event of any public health emergency.
The intervention, according to the statement, complements broader Federal Government efforts to strengthen national health security, including the activities of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Prof. Pate, who also serves as Chairman of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, directed all beneficiary states to fully account for both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months.
He stressed that states must comply with all financial management, reporting and accountability requirements governing the use of public funds.
“Preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in protecting public health. While it is important that states have timely access to resources needed to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities, it is equally important that public funds are managed responsibly and accounted for in line with established regulations,” the minister said.
He added that the approval reflects the government’s commitment to balancing health security with fiscal responsibility.
“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support states to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources,” Pate stated.
The Ministry noted that the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund serves as a critical financing mechanism under the NCDC Gateway of the BHCPF, designed to support disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and emergency response systems at the state level.
It emphasized that beneficiary states are expected to utilize the funds strictly for approved activities and adhere to all reporting and retirement obligations.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health, the Federal Government said it would continue to invest in proactive preparedness, effective coordination, disease prevention, detection, and response systems nationwide.
The Ministry maintained that strengthening readiness at the state level remains essential to protecting Nigerians against future outbreaks and emerging health threats.
