FG Releases ?21.2 Million to Each State to Boost Ebola Preparedness

The Federal Government has approved the release of ?21.2 million in outbreak investigation and response funds to each state as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other public health threats across the country.

The development was disclosed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

According to Bako, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, approved the disbursement of 50 percent of the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF) allocation. The funds will be released through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) gateway under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

He explained that the intervention is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s readiness to tackle Ebola and other emerging public health threats, while complementing broader federal efforts to improve national preparedness and response mechanisms.

Bako noted that the initiative aligns with the ongoing activities of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola, he said the government is taking proactive steps to ensure the country remains prepared for any potential outbreak.

The funds are expected to enable states to strengthen disease surveillance systems, enhance preparedness measures, and improve rapid response capabilities during public health emergencies.

Prof. Pate also directed all beneficiary states to retire both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months and ensure strict compliance with financial management, reporting, and accountability guidelines.

“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support states in strengthening their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources,” Pate stated.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding national health security through proactive planning, effective coordination, and sustained investments in disease prevention, detection, and response systems nationwide.