Ebola Threat: Reps Seek Urgent Financial Support for NCDC

The House of Representatives has called for urgent and adequate funding of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), warning that prolonged financial constraints could undermine the country’s ability to respond effectively to Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks.

The call followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The motion, titled “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,” received the backing of lawmakers during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Ogah expressed concern that Nigeria’s disease surveillance and emergency response systems were under increasing pressure due to persistent funding challenges confronting the country's foremost public health agency. He reminded lawmakers that the NCDC serves as Nigeria’s primary institution for managing disease outbreaks, coordinating emergency responses and protecting public health during epidemics and health crises.

According to him, the agency is currently struggling to maintain critical operations because of inadequate financial support. Ogah disclosed that the NCDC reportedly received no operational funding in 2025 and has yet to receive capital releases from its approved 2026 budget allocation.

He further stated that overhead releases have been irregular and insufficient to meet the agency’s growing responsibilities.

“How then can the preparedness of the centre for emergencies be guaranteed?” the lawmaker asked during his presentation.

He warned that failure to address the funding gap could leave Nigeria dangerously exposed to emerging health threats, particularly as concerns grow over Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Africa.

“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.

The lawmaker painted a troubling picture of the agency’s operational challenges, revealing that several contractors and service providers have remained unpaid for more than a year.

As a result, critical projects including zonal laboratories, treatment centres and isolation facilities have reportedly stalled across the country.

Ogah also highlighted shortages of laboratory reagents, diagnostic consumables and essential materials required for disease detection and outbreak management.

In addition, he pointed to weaknesses in biosafety infrastructure, inadequate intensive care support systems and insufficient resources for simulation exercises designed to prepare health workers for emergency situations.

Public health experts have repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining robust disease surveillance systems, particularly in an era where global travel and cross-border movement increase the risk of rapid disease transmission.

Lawmakers noted that lessons from previous outbreaks, including Ebola and COVID-19, demonstrate the importance of investing consistently in public health institutions before emergencies occur.

The House's intervention comes at a time when health authorities across Africa are intensifying monitoring efforts following fresh Ebola concerns in parts of the continent.

The lawmakers expressed hope that the Federal Government would act swiftly to strengthen the NCDC’s capacity and ensure that Nigeria remains prepared to respond effectively to any public health emergency that may arise.