Reps urge FG to release health funds after Ebola case confirmed in Abuja

The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to release all outstanding appropriated funds to health agencies without delay, so Nigeria can prepare for and respond to Ebola virus disease.

The call followed the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja. Lawmakers said a woman who arrived in the city from Uganda tested positive on 20 October 2026, and that health authorities have traced 44 contacts for isolation and further tests.

The resolution came from a motion of urgent public importance moved by Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu presided over the plenary, and the motion was adopted unanimously.

Ogah described Ebola as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease. He warned that any delay in spotting suspected cases, running laboratory tests, isolating confirmed cases, tracing contacts or giving timely care could raise the risk of transmission and put more pressure on the health system.

What the House is asking for

The lawmakers want the Ministry of Finance to release the outstanding funds so the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) can do their work. The money is meant for surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency measures.

The House also urged the government to mobilise private, state and federal health agencies and place them on high alert. It asked the health ministry and the NCDC to assess how much more funding is needed, based on current public health evidence.

Lawmakers named the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state ministries of health and port health authorities as key players. They also stressed coordination with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international and regional public health bodies.

The House mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage the relevant ministries, departments and agencies for updates on the Ebola situation and the response so far. The committee will report back for further legislative action.

Why it matters

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who has symptoms, or with contaminated materials. Early detection, prompt isolation, contact tracing and strict infection control are the main ways to limit it.

Lawmakers raised concerns about weak public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in how prepared health workers are, and limited emergency response capacity. They said these could undermine efforts to contain the disease.

For ordinary Nigerians, the case means the country's screening at airports and land borders, and the readiness of health workers, are back in focus. The House's push for money is aimed at making sure those systems are funded and working.

What happens next: The Ministry of Finance is expected to act on the release of funds, while the Committee on Infectious Diseases gathers updates from health agencies and reports back to the House.