FG Declares No Ebola Case in Nigeria, Launches Presidential Communication Team to Strengthen Preparedness
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, while unveiling a Presidential Task Force Communication Sub-Committee to coordinate public awareness and strengthen national preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
The government said the initiative underscores its proactive approach to disease prevention, urging Nigerians to remain calm, adhere to health guidelines and rely only on verified information from official government channels.
The disclosure was contained in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO) and signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr, on July 9, 2026.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reassured Nigerians that there is no cause for panic, stressing that the country remains free of confirmed Ebola cases.
“Let me reassure Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, recent developments elsewhere in Africa remind us that infectious diseases know no borders,” the minister said.
Idris commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing the move as a timely and proactive intervention aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians through effective preparedness, coordination and rapid response.
According to the minister, effective communication will be central to managing any public health emergency, noting that misinformation and rumours often undermine emergency response efforts.
“Accurate, timely and science-based information saves lives, while misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and hinder effective response,” he stated.
The minister recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, attributing the achievement to strong political leadership, coordinated institutional response, effective disease surveillance and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.
He disclosed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had already commenced nationwide sensitisation campaigns using approved public health messages developed in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
“Our message to Nigerians must remain clear: there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria; there is no cause for panic; government is fully prepared and vigilant,” Idris emphasized.
He urged Nigerians to maintain proper personal hygiene, promptly report suspected symptoms to relevant health authorities and rely solely on verified information disseminated by government agencies.
The inaugural meeting was attended by key government officials and stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, represented by his Special Assistant on Digital Communications, Saka Olugbenga; the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), represented by Dr. Tochi Okwor; the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya; the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, and the Vice President (North) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Hamza Idris, among other stakeholders.
The Federal Government reiterated that the establishment of the Presidential Task Force Communication Sub-Committee is aimed at ensuring coordinated risk communication, combating misinformation and strengthening public confidence as Nigeria remains vigilant against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
