Key Point
- The Federal Executive Council has approved N45.8 billion for a biosecurity and disease surveillance system at five international airports.
- The project aims to improve Nigeria’s ability to detect Ebola and other infectious diseases at the country’s borders.
- More than 18 million passengers travel through Nigerian airports annually, according to the health minister.
- The government says identified Ebola contacts must complete 21 days of quarantine to prevent further transmission.
- The project will operate under a 20-year public-private partnership concession awarded to the BioHealth Consortium.
Main Story
The Federal Government has approved N45.8 billion for a new biosecurity and disease surveillance system at five international airports as Nigeria strengthens efforts to prevent Ebola and other dangerous infectious diseases from entering the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, announced the approval on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Pate, the project will be implemented through a 20-year public-private partnership concession awarded to the BioHealth Consortium.
The system will be installed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Port Harcourt International Airport and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Pate said more than 18 million passengers pass through Nigeria’s airports annually, making effective health surveillance at entry points essential to protecting the population.
He explained that the initiative would improve early detection of infectious diseases, strengthen coordination among relevant agencies and help authorities respond quickly to emerging public health threats.
The minister said lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed weaknesses in border health security, highlighting the need for technology-driven systems capable of identifying potential threats before they spread.
The Issues
Nigeria’s international airports serve as major entry points for travellers from different parts of the world. Without effective screening and surveillance, infectious diseases can cross borders before authorities identify suspected cases.
The latest Ebola threat has further highlighted the importance of early detection, rapid response and effective monitoring of people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Pate said Nigeria had maintained surveillance and containment measures before confirming an imported Ebola case in October. He added that the affected patient had recovered after receiving treatment in Nigeria and was continuing to improve in her home country.
However, the minister warned that the threat remained because of the continued spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the possibility of additional cases entering Nigeria.
What’s Being Said
Pate said the government was pursuing two main strategies: containing the existing Ebola threat and strengthening border surveillance to prevent new infections.
He also explained why authorities were providing targeted support to some people placed in quarantine.
According to him, some identified contacts depend on daily earnings to feed their families. Without support, they might leave quarantine to work, potentially increasing the risk of transmission.
The minister described the assistance as a public health measure intended to encourage compliance and protect the wider population.
He stressed that identified contacts must complete 21 days of quarantine, corresponding to Ebola’s recognised incubation period of two to 21 days.
What’s Next
The government plans to strengthen monitoring of identified contacts while improving surveillance at the five international airports.
The new system is expected to support earlier detection of infectious diseases and improve coordination between agencies responsible for public health and border management.
However, its effectiveness will depend on proper implementation, reliable technology, trained personnel and a coordinated response when suspected infections are detected.
Bottom Line
The N45.8 billion airport biosecurity project represents a major investment in Nigeria’s preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
But approving the funding is only the first step. The real test will be whether the system can detect threats early, support rapid action and prevent infectious diseases from spreading within the country.
