Reps Seek Funds For NCDC On Ebola, Other Epidemic Diseases’ Control

House of Representatives has asked the Executive arm of government to provide adequate fund for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to strengthen its preparedness and response capacity against Ebola and other epidemic diseases.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by the chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria, Hon. Amobi Ogah, at plenary yesterday.

In the motion, Ogah said on May 15, 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (just two steps from Nigeria).

He said the rare and distinct strain of Ebola virus, the Bundibugyo Strain, is causing a major public health emergency in Central Africa and may spread to other parts of Africa soon because of the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders and lack of strict cross-border checks.The lawmaker expressed concern that this version of the virus currently does not have any licensed vaccines or targeted medical therapies to mitigate it.

He reminded the House that on May 25, 2026, NCDC placed Nigeria at high risk of Ebola importation but the centre received no operational funding in 2025, with no capital releases made to date against the approved 2026 allocation.

“Furthermore, the overhead releases are highly epileptic and grossly inadequate, which is in direct violation of basic international standards and constitutes an abuse of the Appropriations Acts.

How then can the preparedness of the Centre for emergencies be guaranteed?

“It is worrisome to note that, due to lack of adequate funding, coupled with uncertainty regarding the quantum that will be released this year, the capacity to fulfill critical health security obligations has significantly weakened.

“We should also bear in mind that this situation is compounded by a marked reduction in external donor support, which previously complemented government financing for outbreak preparedness and response activities.

“It is essential to note that, presently, the Centre is experiencing critical challenges, including but not limited to the following: vendors have not been paid for critical goods and services for over one year.

“Consequently, strategic projects such as zonal laboratories, treatment centres, and isolation facilities cannot be completed as planned…

“If urgent, appropriate funding for the Centre is not immediately met, the strength and capacity of the NCDC to adequately respond to the resurfacing Ebola threat and other epidemic-prone diseases cannot be assured, which is extremely disastrous to Nigeria as a nation,” he added.

The House upon adoption of the motion, urged the executive arm of government to, as a matter of urgency, provide NCDC with adequate releases as contained in the Appropriations Acts to enable the Centre settle its liabilities and ensure seamless operations.

It mandated the Committee on Infectious Diseases to adequately facilitate, monitor, and ensure the proper utilisation of released funds and to report back to the House for further legislative action.

The Green Chamber asked Port Health Authorities to intensify cross-border surveillance and checks to prevent infiltration of infected persons.