Monday, October 26 2026 - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has approved an emergency allowance of ₦100,000 per person weekly for individuals placed in isolation or quarantine following the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris announced the
intervention at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, October 25, saying some
contacts had raised concerns about supporting their families while undergoing
mandatory monitoring. He said the agency was already covering accommodation and
feeding, but introduced the allowance to ease additional financial pressures
and encourage cooperation with containment measures.
“We are paying for their accommodation; we are paying for
their feeding. Some of them are asking for a stipend to maintain their
families,” Idris said. He described the payment as an emergency measure outside
the agency’s original response plan, adding that it would be reviewed as the
situation developed.
Idris also urged state governments to prepare funding,
personnel and supplies for possible public health emergencies rather than
leaving the burden to the FCT. “This is not the responsibility of the FCT
alone. What we have to do for the FCT, we have to do for any other state, just
in case,” he said.
According to Idris, Nigeria had recorded one confirmed case
as of the briefing, while 53 primary contacts had been identified for
monitoring. They included healthcare workers, household members, domestic staff
and personnel involved in collecting samples from the patient.
He said response teams were assessing contacts according to
their exposure levels and conducting follow-up checks. Anyone developing
symptoms would be promptly assessed and tested. Contacts requiring
accommodation were being provided with isolation arrangements, with monitoring
continuing for 21 days after their last possible exposure. Idris said one
contact who reported feeling unwell had tested negative, while surveillance
activities remained ongoing.
The agency was also strengthening infection prevention
measures in healthcare facilities, training personnel and supporting access to
protective equipment and laboratory supplies. The confirmed patient is a woman
who travelled to Nigeria from Uganda and tested positive for Bundibugyo virus
disease. According to the timeline provided by health authorities, she
developed symptoms on October 7, sought treatment in Abuja on October 11 and
received a confirmed diagnosis on October 20.
The World Health Organisation identified the case as
imported, while investigations continued into the likely source of exposure.
Idris said Nigeria was drawing on experience from its 2014 Ebola response and
strengthening preparedness across states. He urged Nigerians to follow verified
public health information, avoid rumours and cooperate with officials
conducting contact tracing and monitoring.
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