By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to immediately release funds to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, warning that Nigeria’s ability to respond to a potential Ebola outbreak could be undermined by persistent funding shortfalls.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Amobi Ogah, who drew lawmakers’ attention to the recent outbreak of a rare strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday at plenary. 
Debating the motion Rep. Ogah referenced reports by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the outbreak was detected in Turi Province of the DRC on May 15, 2026.
He warned that Nigeria remains particularly vulnerable due to extensive cross-border movements and the country’s porous borders, factors that could increase the risk of disease importation.
Oga who is the Chairman House Committee on Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis noted that on May 25, 2026, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention classified Nigeria as being at high risk of Ebola importation and activated emergency preparedness protocols, including placing the National Emergency Operations Centre on alert.
Despite these precautionary measures, Ogah expressed concern over what he described as a severe funding crisis affecting the agency.
According to him, the NCDC received no operational funding throughout 2025, while no capital releases had been made against its approved 2026 budget. He also stated that overhead releases to the agency had been irregular and inadequate.
The lawmaker argued that the funding constraints had significantly weakened the NCDC’s capacity to carry out essential public health functions, including disease surveillance, laboratory operations, outbreak response, logistics management and emergency preparedness activities.
“The preparedness of the Centre cannot be guaranteed under the current circumstances,” he said.
Ogah told lawmakers that the agency is currently grappling with multiple operational challenges, including unpaid contractors and vendors responsible for critical supplies and services.
He also highlighted delays in the construction of zonal laboratories, treatment centres and isolation facilities, as well as shortages of laboratory reagents and consumables needed for testing and diagnosis.
Other challenges identified include inadequate biosecurity infrastructure, limited intensive care and oxygen support systems, and insufficient resources for the training and deployment of rapid response teams across the country.
The lawmaker warned that failure to provide urgent financial support could leave Nigeria exposed to the renewed Ebola threat and other infectious disease outbreaks.
He stressed that strengthening the country’s disease surveillance and response capabilities was critical to safeguarding public health and preventing a repeat of previous epidemic emergencies.
Contributing to the debate, Rep. Billy Osawaru commended the sponsor of the motion and reminded Nigerians of the country’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak after the virus was introduced by an infected traveller from Liberia.
He noted that Nigeria limited the outbreak to 20 cases and eight deaths through coordinated efforts by healthcare workers, emergency response agencies, the Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC, and international partners.
Osawaru praised the courage and professionalism displayed by frontline health workers during the crisis, particularly the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh and other medical personnel whose actions helped prevent a wider outbreak.
The lawmaker, however, warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable due to its extensive land borders, heavy international travel and trade activities, and increasing regional mobility.
He expressed particular concern that the current outbreak is linked to the Bombali virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
“The risk of importation remains real if proactive preventive measures are not strengthened and sustained,” he said while seconding the motion.
The House unanimously adopt the motion directed the Executive Arm of Government to immediately release funds appropriated for the NCDC to enable the agency settle outstanding liabilities and carry out its statutory responsibilities effectively.
The lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to monitor the utilisation of the released funds and report back to the House for further legislative action.
In addition, the House called on relevant border and port authorities to intensify surveillance and screening activities at entry points across the country to prevent the importation of the disease, while the Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with ensuring full implementation of the resolutions.
The resolution comes amid growing concerns across Africa over the spread of infectious diseases and renewed calls for stronger investment in public health infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems.
