FAAN and Lagos State Government Intensify Ebola Surveillance at MMIA

Chinedu Eze

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), together with Lagos State health officials and Port Health Services, has tightened its screening of passengers arriving at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) to prevent the importation and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.

A statement signed by FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbabire, reported that a joint team of officials from FAAN, the Lagos State Government and Port Health inspected airport facilities yesterday.

The inspection aimed to evaluate MMIA’s readiness to detect, monitor and respond to any potential Ebola threat, especially after recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The exercise brought together key stakeholders from the health and aviation sectors, including Lagos State Commissioner for Health Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi; MMIA Airport Manager Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; FAAN Aviation Medical General Manager Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health Dr. Dayo Lajide; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and State Epidemiologist Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus‑Salam, among others.

During the inspection, Prof. Abayomi praised FAAN and other partners for their rapid response to the DRC outbreak and the proactive preventive measures already in place at the airport.

He urged heightened vigilance and stricter surveillance, especially for passengers arriving from high‑risk countries, and emphasized the need for procedures that identify, isolate and closely monitor such travelers while ensuring full compliance with public‑health protocols.

Prof. Abayomi added that continuous collaboration among all relevant agencies is essential to preventing the importation and spread of infectious diseases through Nigeria’s busiest airport, and that safeguarding public health must remain a priority.

Airport Manager Mr. Arewa assured the visiting delegation of FAAN’s commitment to maintaining all necessary preventive measures and adhering to established health regulations.

He called for greater synergy among stakeholders and stressed the importance of immediate action whenever symptoms suggestive of Ebola are detected in any traveler.

“Prompt detection, reporting and response are essential to preventing the spread of any infectious disease within the airport environment and beyond,” he said.

Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer‑in‑Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry team at MMIA, briefed the delegation on the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan, which had been reviewed, and on comprehensive risk assessments that had been conducted.

He noted that airlines operating from high‑risk destinations have been identified, screening forms are being administered to passengers arriving on such flights, and all stakeholders have been assigned specific responsibilities under the emergency response framework.

Dr. Bilikisu added that FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) continue to share information and coordinate response efforts in line with international health regulations and global best practices.

She also said that airport personnel and stakeholders have been adequately sensitised on their roles and trained to identify, report and respond appropriately to potential public‑health threats.

As part of the exercise, members of the Lagos State Government delegation toured critical facilities within the airport to verify compliance with established Ebola surveillance, screening and prevention protocols.

The inspection underscored the collective resolve of health and aviation authorities to maintain a high level of preparedness and ensure that MMIA remains equipped to effectively respond to any public‑health emergency.