Reps push for urgent funding to tackle Ebola threat and improve epidemic readiness

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the federal government to quickly provide proper funding to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This is to improve the country’s readiness and response to Ebola and other diseases that could cause epidemics.

This call came after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent national importance from Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia). He said Nigeria’s disease monitoring and emergency response systems are struggling due to lack of funds for the NCDC.

The motion, called “Seeking the Federal Government to Immediately Provide Adequate Funding Requirements to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Strengthen Nigeria’s Preparedness and Response Capacity for Ebola and Other Epidemic-Prone Diseases,” was accepted without debate.

While presenting the motion, Mr. Ogah reminded his colleagues that the NCDC is Nigeria’s main public health body. It is responsible for handling outbreaks of infectious diseases and public health emergencies.

He pointed out the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Authorities there and international health organizations confirmed the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus appeared in May.

He stated that this outbreak is a major risk to Nigeria because of its weak borders and the easy movement of people across Africa. “On 15 May 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“This rare and distinct strain of Ebola virus, the Bundibugyo strain, is causing a major public health emergency in Central Africa and may spread to other parts of Africa soon because of the porous nature of our borders and lack of strict cross-border checks,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed worries that, unlike past Ebola outbreaks, there are no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for the Bundibugyo strain.

He also mentioned that on 25 May, the NCDC gave a public health notice declaring Nigeria at high risk of Ebola coming into the country. They activated emergency preparedness plans nationwide.

Mr. Ogah raised concerns about how the NCDC could prepare for possible outbreaks when it is facing serious financial issues. He told the House that the NCDC received no operational funding in 2025 and that no capital funding has been released yet for the approved 2026 budget.

According to him, funds for the agency have also come in irregularly and are not enough. “How then can the preparedness of the Centre for emergencies be guaranteed?” he asked.

The lawmaker warned that the lack of funds has greatly weakened Nigeria’s ability to meet important health security needs, especially as support from outside donors for outbreak readiness and response has dropped.

He listed several problems the NCDC is facing, such as unpaid contractors, stalled projects, lack of lab supplies, weak safety systems, insufficient intensive care support, and limited resources for emergency drills.

He said that suppliers of critical goods and services to the NCDC have not been paid in over a year. This has caused delays in finishing zonal labs, treatment centers, and isolation facilities across Nigeria.

He also revealed that essential items for outbreak testing and diagnosis are nearly finished. Mr. Ogah pointed out the low funding for training Rapid Response Teams and the limited resources for deploying emergency workers during outbreaks.

He warned that these issues are making it hard for the NCDC to handle outbreak responses, monitor diseases, provide lab services, manage logistics, and prepare for emergencies. “If urgent and appropriate funding for the Centre is not immediately met, the strength and capacity of the NCDC to adequately respond to the resurfacing Ebola threat and other epidemic-prone diseases cannot be assured, which is extremely disastrous to Nigeria as a nation,” he said.

After adopting the motion, the House asked the Executive Arm of Government to quickly release funds set aside for the NCDC. This will help the agency pay off what it owes and carry out its duties without interruption.

The lawmakers also asked the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to help monitor the use of these funds and report back to the chamber for further action.

Additionally, the House called on port health authorities to step up surveillance and improve health checks at borders to stop infected people from entering Nigeria.

The House Committee on Legislative Compliance was also directed to ensure these resolutions are implemented.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who led the session, later sent the matter to the relevant committees for compliance and oversight.