Ebola Alert: Lagos Moves to Fortify Airport Defences Against Imported Cases

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to prevent the importation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria, conducting a high-level inspection of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) as health authorities monitor a growing outbreak in parts of East and Central Africa.

Leading the inspection on Saturday, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the state is strengthening surveillance and emergency response systems at the country’s busiest international gateway to reduce the risk of imported infections.

The inspection team included senior officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), and other health agencies. They met with airport authorities, Port Health Services, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to review existing preparedness measures.

Abayomi recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 after an infected traveler arrived in Lagos from Liberia, describing the experience as one of the country’s most important public health achievements.

“That outbreak taught us that preparedness must never be taken for granted,” he said, noting that increased global travel continues to heighten the risk of cross-border disease transmission.

According to the commissioner, MMIA accounts for roughly 70 percent of international passenger traffic entering Nigeria, making it the country’s most critical point of entry for disease surveillance.

He said Lagos is working with federal agencies to strengthen early detection systems, rapid isolation procedures, passenger monitoring, and emergency evacuation protocols for suspected cases.

The state is also exploring ways to improve screening processes for travelers arriving from countries considered high-risk while ensuring that airport operations remain efficient.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described airport personnel as the frontline of disease prevention efforts and stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders involved in public health security.

She said the Lagos State Government remains committed to supporting airport workers and health officials tasked with protecting the country from infectious disease threats.

Airport Manager and Regional General Manager of MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa, disclosed that the airport has begun deploying additional preparedness infrastructure, including touchless hand-sanitizer systems and temperature-screening equipment.

He added that authorities are considering dedicated arrival channels for passengers arriving from high-risk countries to improve monitoring and screening.

Port Health Services officials revealed that MMIA reviewed and updated its Public Health Emergency Contingency Plan in March 2026 and has already activated its Airport Public Health Emergency Management Team.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed that airlines operating designated international routes have been directed to comply fully with public health protocols before passengers are cleared to enter Nigeria.

The inspection concluded with a tour of airport screening points and health facilities, with officials reaffirming their commitment to enhanced coordination and information sharing to prevent Ebola and other infectious diseases from entering the country.