FG Approves N21.2 million per State to Support Ebola Outbreak Preparedness and Response Activities

Onyebuchi Ezigbo reports from Abuja.

The federal government has authorized the release of State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S‑OIRF) to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response efforts nationwide, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s readiness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, instructed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)—one of the gateways of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)—to immediately disburse fifty percent of the S‑OIRF allocation, which amounts to N21.2 million per state.

Pate also urged states to retire the outbreak‑response funds within six months.

A statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, explained that the intervention is designed to complement other initiatives aimed at strengthening national preparedness and response capacities, including the work of the multi‑sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

“While Nigeria has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease, the federal government is taking proactive measures to ensure states have the resources required to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response capacities in the event of any public health emergency.”

“The approval provides a one‑time special dispensation to enable states to access critical preparedness funding in view of current public health concerns, while reinforcing the government’s commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources,” it said.

Prof. Pate, who also chairs the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, further directed all beneficiary states to retire both current and previously disbursed outbreak‑response funds within six months and to ensure full compliance with established financial management, reporting, and accountability requirements.

“Preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in protecting public health. While it is important that states have timely access to resources needed to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities, it is equally important that public funds are managed responsibly and accounted for in line with established regulations.”

“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support states to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources.”

The State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund is a financing mechanism under the NCDC gateway of the BHCPF designed to support states in strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and emergency response systems.