Nigeria steps up Ebola preparedness with new Presidential Task Force communication structure

The Federal Government has activated the communication structure of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats as part of measures to strengthen public awareness, coordinate official messaging and improve Nigeria’s readiness against a possible outbreak.

The move comes amid heightened surveillance efforts following Ebola developments in parts of Central Africa, although health authorities have maintained that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of the disease.

Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this on Thursday at the inaugural meeting of the Communications, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force in Abuja.

Idris said the government’s approach was focused on early preparedness rather than waiting for an outbreak before activating response mechanisms.

“There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria,” the minister said, stressing that the measures being introduced were preventive and aimed at protecting public health.

He said the communication sub-committee was established to ensure that government agencies deliver consistent, accurate and science-based information to Nigerians while addressing misinformation that could weaken public confidence during a health emergency.

“Communication is one of the most powerful tools in managing public health emergencies. Accurate, timely and science-based information saves lives, while misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and hinder effective response,” Idris said.

The communication structure is part of the Presidential Task Force constituted by President Bola Tinubu to coordinate Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.

The sub-committee is chaired by Idris, with Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, serving as deputy chairman, while Dr Suleiman Haruna, Director of Public Relations and Protocol at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, serves as secretary.

Membership of the committee cuts across government institutions and professional bodies, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and representatives from relevant government offices.

The minister said the committee’s mandate goes beyond media engagement, adding that it would develop a national risk communication strategy, harmonise public health messaging across ministries, departments and agencies, coordinate media engagement and strengthen mechanisms for detecting and countering misinformation.

He added that communication materials would be translated into major Nigerian languages to improve access, while public awareness campaigns would be extended through traditional and digital media platforms, schools, markets, religious and traditional institutions, transport unions, women and youth groups, and civil society organisations.

According to Idris, the objective is to ensure that Nigerians receive reliable health information regardless of their location, language or social background.

He commended the National Orientation Agency for commencing public sensitisation using health messages developed with the NCDC, noting that the agency’s presence across the 774 local government areas provides a critical platform for grassroots mobilisation.

The renewed preparedness efforts follow concerns over Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the risk of cross-border transmission has increased attention on regional health security.

While Nigeria remains free of confirmed Ebola cases, Idris said the NCDC has assessed the risk of importation as high due to population movement, regional travel and international connections.

Consequently, surveillance has been strengthened at airports, seaports and land borders, while health facilities have been placed on heightened alert to improve early detection and response.

The minister said Nigeria’s strategy is informed by lessons from the country’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which was achieved through coordinated government action, effective surveillance, rapid response and sustained public communication.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm, maintain good hygiene practices, report suspected symptoms promptly to health authorities and rely on verified information from official government channels.

“The message remains clear: there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria. Government is fully prepared and vigilant,” Idris said.