The Federal Government has ordered a nationwide public enlightenment campaign on Ebola Virus Disease following confirmation of an imported case in Abuja.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, directed agencies under his ministry to intensify awareness efforts and ensure Nigerians receive accurate information on how Ebola spreads, how to prevent infection and where suspected cases should be reported.
Idris gave the directive to the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
His directive followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on Tuesday of an Ebola case involving a woman who had recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
The World Health Organisation subsequently confirmed that the infection is the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
According to health authorities, the patient developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical care at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11.
She was later confirmed positive for the virus and placed in isolation for treatment.
Contact tracing has since commenced, with 44 close contacts identified and placed under monitoring.
Those being traced include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts, while authorities continue efforts to identify others who may have been exposed.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said accurate and timely information would be crucial to containing the infection and preventing unnecessary panic.
“The Federal Government is taking every necessary step to contain this case and protect Nigerians. Accurate and timely information is one of our strongest defences.”
He directed the agencies to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to ensure that all public information about the outbreak is verified, evidence-based and consistent with official health guidance.
Idris specifically tasked NOA with deploying its nationwide structure for grassroots sensitisation, working with traditional and religious leaders, community organisations and the media.
The ministry is also expected to strengthen collaboration with broadcast media organisations, including the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), to widen public awareness of Ebola prevention and containment measures.
According to the statement, the collaboration will facilitate the dissemination of verified health information, production and broadcast of public enlightenment jingles, as well as development of information, education and communication materials in Nigerian languages.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm and rely on information from official sources, warning against circulating unverified claims on social media.
His directive comes as health authorities intensify measures to prevent the Abuja case from developing into wider community transmission.
Nigeria’s response includes contact tracing, heightened surveillance and strengthened infection prevention and control measures at health facilities.
NCDC officials have confirmed that the Nigerian case involves the Bundibugyo strain, which is linked to the ongoing regional Ebola outbreak.
The WHO said Nigeria became the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026.
Nigerians who suspect an Ebola infection are advised to avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health authorities rather than visiting a healthcare facility without prior notification.
Members of the public can also contact the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line on 6232 for information or to report suspected cases.
