The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to provide emergency funding and introduce compulsory health screening at all international airports, seaports and designated land borders to prevent the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who warned that the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in parts of Africa poses a risk to Nigeria.
The Senate expressed concern that infected travellers could enter the country through third countries. It recalled Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak, which began after an infected traveller arrived in Lagos.
Although the government has introduced health declaration forms and increased screening at entry points, lawmakers said limiting screening to travellers from selected countries could leave gaps in the surveillance system.
The Senate called on the Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Port Health Services to make screening compulsory for all arriving international passengers, regardless of their nationality or country of departure.
The proposed measures include health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom assessments. Travellers who have visited or passed through affected areas within the previous 21 days would face additional screening.
Lawmakers also called for exit screening during declared public health emergencies and urged relevant agencies to provide trained health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation facilities at all entry points.
The Senate further asked the Federal Government to prepare isolation and treatment centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It also called for the replacement of the Quarantine Act of 1926 with a modern public health law that meets the requirements of the International Health Regulations of 2005.
To support these measures, the Senate urged the relevant ministries to provide adequate funding for the NCDC and Port Health Services in the 2027 budget and release outstanding funds.
Lawmakers warned that Nigeria’s existing health challenges, including Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria, make stronger disease surveillance and emergency preparedness necessary.
