Mohammed Idris says the Federal Government is fully prepared to tackle any outbreak as public awareness campaigns begin nationwide.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, urging citizens to remain calm and rely only on verified information from official sources.
Idris gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.
His remarks come amid reports that more than 600 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising concerns about the potential spread of the disease across the region.
“There is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, recent developments elsewhere in Africa remind us that infectious diseases know no borders,” the minister said.
He stressed that timely, accurate and science-based communication is essential in managing public health emergencies, warning that misinformation and rumours could undermine response efforts and create unnecessary panic.
Idris recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, attributing the achievement to strong leadership, coordinated action, effective surveillance and sustained public communication.
He disclosed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has already commenced nationwide public sensitisation using approved health messages.
The minister urged Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities, and depend only on verified government updates.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing it as a proactive measure to strengthen the country’s preparedness and safeguard public health against emerging disease threats.