Ebola and the imperative of self-reliance

On May 6, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, with cases spreading across three provinces and spilling into parts of East Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described the situation as a global health emergency, but the reality is that the crisis strikes at the very heart of Africa’s […]

On May 6, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, with cases spreading across three provinces and spilling into parts of East Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described the situation as a global health emergency, but the reality is that the crisis strikes at the very heart of Africa’s stability. For Nigeria and the African Union, this outbreak is more than a distant tragedy. It is a direct test of our capacity to lead, protect, and coordinate a continental response. Our porous borders, fragile health systems, and the sheer scale of human movement across Africa mean that Ebola is not just Congo’s burden; it is Africa’s collective challenge.

The federal government has moved swiftly to shield Nigeria from the advancing Ebola threat by approving a N10 billion emergency intervention fund and establishing a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness. Chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the task force brings together ministries, agencies, and state representatives to coordinate a national defence. At the heart of the measures is intensified airport control: passengers arriving from high-risk countries are subject to enhanced temperature checks, QR code-based health declarations, and crowd-control protocols. Isolation and referral centres have been activated at the Lagos and Abuja airports, with plans to expand nationwide, while routine disinfection of baggage areas and terminals has been mandated. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is being strengthened to lead surveillance, laboratory readiness, and rapid response efforts.

However, Nigeria and Africa at large have come of age to confront the Ebola challenge, yet the irony remains that the vaccines being deployed in trials are produced outside the continent. The most widely used Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, was developed in the United States. Nigeria, through Innovative Biotech Nigeria, is working to establish indigenous vaccine production facilities in Abuja, but these efforts are still in their infancy. This reliance on external institutions underscores both Africa’s vulnerability and its urgent need to build capacity, proving that the continent must now rise to the challenge through self-sufficiency.

Though Nigeria has not yet recorded a case of Ebola in the current outbreak, the toll of Lassa fever since its discovery in 1969 is both unacceptable and alarming. Over the decades, thousands of Nigerians have succumbed to the disease, with official records showing hundreds of deaths annually and more than 200 fatalities already recorded in 2026 alone. Despite repeated government interventions—such as activating emergency operations centres, deploying rapid-response teams, and issuing infection-prevention guidelines—the cycle of outbreaks continues unabated. Rodent-control measures remain weak, hospital infection-prevention practices are inconsistent, and laboratory capacity is limited, leaving communities vulnerable year after year. The inability to break this chain of transmission reflects systemic shortcomings in public health infrastructure.

The African Union must urgently take the lead in mobilising countries and institutions across the continent to confront the recurring scourge of deadly diseases. Africa cannot continue to wait for the World Health Organisation, Europe, or America to provide vaccines while its people perish year after year. Instead, the AU must create a framework that ensures sustained funding for African medical research institutes, empowering them to develop indigenous solutions. Research centres in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and other nations should be equipped to produce vaccines for malaria, Ebola, meningitis, Lassa fever, hepatitis B, and other health challenges that disproportionately affect Africans. By pooling resources, fostering collaboration, and prioritising scientific innovation, Africa can build the capacity to protect its citizens without perpetual dependence on external actors. This is not just a matter of health security—it is a matter of sovereignty, dignity, and survival. The time has come for Africa to rise, invest in its own science, and chart a path toward self-reliance in vaccine production.

Nigerians entrusted with the critical responsibility of preventing Ebola from entering the country must act with utmost diligence and vigilance. Although Nigeria’s readiness is estimated at around 59 per cent, this figure is not sufficient when weighed against the nation’s vast population and the devastating potential of an outbreak. The lessons of the past remind us of the heroic efforts made during the 2014 Ebola crisis, when Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a courageous medical doctor, played a pivotal role in containing the virus by swiftly diagnosing and isolating the index case. Her decisive action saved countless lives and demonstrated the importance of preparedness and integrity in public health. Today, the challenge remains: Nigeria must strengthen its defences, ensure rapid-response systems, and protect its citizens from the threat of Ebola. The health and safety of millions depend on the diligence of those entrusted with this responsibility.