FG Reassures Nigerians on Ebola, Launches Presidential Communication Team to Strengthen Preparedness
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, even as it inaugurated the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats to strengthen national readiness against possible outbreaks.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the committee, urging citizens to remain calm, stay vigilant and rely only on verified information from official government sources.
According to the Minister, although Nigeria remains free of confirmed Ebola cases, recent outbreaks in parts of Africa underscore the need for heightened preparedness, noting that infectious diseases can easily cross national borders.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing it as a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding public health through effective coordination, early preparedness and timely intervention.
Idris stressed that strategic communication would be central to any emergency health response, warning that misinformation and rumours could undermine public confidence and frustrate efforts to contain disease outbreaks.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, the Minister attributed the achievement to decisive leadership, coordinated action, robust surveillance and effective public communication.
He disclosed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had already commenced nationwide awareness campaigns using health messages developed in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
“Our message remains clear: there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, there is no need for panic, and the government is fully prepared and vigilant,” he said.
The Minister also urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities and obtain information only from credible government channels.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Task Force, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; representatives of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCDC; Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahya; President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku; and Vice President (North) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Hamza Idris, among other participants.
Cover Photo Caption, R–L: Special Assistant on Digital Communications, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Saka Olugbenga; Technical Assistant to the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Tochi Okwor; Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr; President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya; Representative of the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and Vice President (North), Mr. Hamza Idris; Director, Air Transport Management, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Tijjani; and Director, Public Relations and Protocol Department (PRPD), Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, during the inaugural meeting of the Communications, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, held on July 9, 2026, in Abuja. Photo: Khalid Ahmed/FMINO
