The Lagos State Government has taken proactive steps to protect residents from a potential Ebola Virus Disease outbreak by activating the Incident Management Structure of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Officials said the move prepares the state against the risk of Ebola spreading from the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Government authorities confirmed the decision in a statement released on the state’s official X handle on Thursday. According to the statement, the activation followed an emergency meeting of the Lagos Public Health Emergency Operations Centre held on September 9 at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba. The meeting responded to alarming reports from Kasai Province in the DRC, where health officials recorded 58 suspected or confirmed Ebola cases and 20 deaths, including four among health workers, as of September 10.
To ensure readiness, Lagos State unveiled an isolation centre with a capacity of 14 to 18 beds. Health officials designed the facility to receive and treat suspected and confirmed Ebola patients should the need arise. The isolation centre adds to the state’s existing network of emergency medical structures and positions Lagos as one of the most prepared states in Nigeria in terms of epidemic control.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, described the new centre as a critical addition to the state’s health infrastructure. He explained that Lagos could not afford complacency, considering its history with Ebola in 2014 and its role as Nigeria’s busiest international travel hub. He said the state deliberately strengthened its hospital network and the capacity of medical personnel to detect and manage infectious diseases. Representing him at the briefing, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, stressed that the decision to activate the incident management structure reflected foresight and responsibility.
As part of the strategy, the state government rolled out enhanced surveillance mechanisms across communities, hospitals, and entry points. Health authorities activated laboratory systems, improved infection prevention and control protocols, and scheduled immediate training for frontline health workers. Officials confirmed that the first round of training would cover doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and other responders across all pillars of emergency response. The sessions would focus on case detection, rapid reporting, proper use of protective equipment, safe isolation practices, and management of samples.
Dr. Abdus-Salam assured the public that validated Ebola fact sheets and advisories would be distributed to both public and private health facilities across Lagos. He emphasised the need for health workers to remain alert and maintain a high index of suspicion, especially when treating patients presenting fever, sore throat, or malaria-like symptoms who had recently travelled to regions affected by the outbreak.
While addressing concerns, Dr. Ogboye urged Lagosians not to panic. He reminded residents that the government had learned valuable lessons from the 2014 Ebola outbreak and had put preventive systems in place. The measures being taken, he explained, reflect preparedness rather than panic. He also stressed the importance of hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, and prompt reporting of suspected cases. According to him, Ebola spreads through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated items belonging to an infected person. He further warned that avoiding unsafe burials, maintaining clean environments, and adopting protective habits remain key to breaking chains of transmission.
The permanent secretary advised residents to report any individual who develops sudden fever, sore throat, vomiting, or other Ebola-like symptoms after returning from outbreak regions. He encouraged residents to use the state’s emergency hotlines—767 or 112—for quick reporting and response.
At Lagos airports, health officials also stepped up surveillance to prevent possible importation of Ebola cases. The Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, disclosed that his team had strengthened infection prevention and control measures at entry points. The state deployed screening officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and at domestic terminals to detect early symptoms among travellers. Officials also trained staff to identify high-risk passengers and activate immediate isolation if necessary.
Stakeholders such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service have also been sensitised on how to identify and report suspected Ebola symptoms. The collaboration ensures that border and security agencies provide support to health teams in preventing the virus from entering Nigeria through Lagos.
Health experts pointed to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a reminder of Ebola’s continued threat. In Kasai Province, health workers confirmed dozens of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases and reported multiple fatalities, including among medical staff. The deaths of health workers highlight the high risk frontline responders face without adequate protection. The DRC remains one of the most vulnerable countries to Ebola, having recorded multiple outbreaks since the virus was first discovered there in 1976. Lagos officials explained that the Kasai outbreak triggered immediate concern because of the high volume of travel between West and Central Africa. With thousands of passengers arriving in Lagos daily, the state faces heightened vulnerability.
Lagos State’s response also stems from its own history. In 2014, Nigeria recorded its first Ebola case when a Liberian traveller arrived in Lagos through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Despite fears of rapid spread in Africa’s most populous city, health officials successfully contained the outbreak through aggressive contact tracing, isolation, and public awareness campaigns. Lagos emerged as a global model for rapid epidemic response. However, the state also realised that the containment effort in 2014 pushed its healthcare system to its limits. The experience convinced health leaders that only proactive preparedness could protect a mega-city like Lagos. By activating the incident management structure today, the government signals that it does not want to repeat the struggles of 2014.
In addition to medical preparedness, the Lagos State Government launched public sensitisation campaigns to educate residents about Ebola prevention. Officials distributed educational materials, broadcasted health advisories on radio and television, and used social media platforms to reach younger audiences. The fact sheets explained Ebola’s transmission, symptoms, and prevention methods in simple language. They encouraged residents to wash hands regularly with soap, adopt safe burial practices, and seek hospital attention immediately in case of suspected illness. The materials also counter misinformation by reminding citizens that Ebola does not spread through casual contact such as handshakes when no symptoms are present.
The government believes that equipping citizens with accurate knowledge forms the first line of defence against panic and stigmatization. Officials said misinformation could hinder early reporting, discourage people from accessing healthcare, and worsen community transmission. By focusing on transparency, the state hopes to build public trust and ensure that residents cooperate fully with preventive measures.
Lagos officials also stressed that epidemics may remain unpredictable, but states can reduce risks by building permanent systems that respond quickly to threats. By strengthening surveillance, training health workers, and investing in isolation facilities, Lagos is cultivating a culture of preparedness. Dr. Abdus-Salam explained that vigilance must remain consistent even after the current scare passes. He noted that training and protocols established today would prepare the state for future epidemics beyond Ebola. He pointed out that improved laboratory systems could enhance detection of other infectious diseases, including Lassa fever, cholera, and COVID-19 variants.
The Lagos State Government confirmed that it is collaborating closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization. These bodies provide technical guidance, testing capacity, and global updates on the outbreak. International organisations have also expressed readiness to support Lagos with protective equipment, diagnostic tools, and training resources. The government believes that such partnerships will guarantee quicker access to resources if the outbreak spreads beyond Congo’s borders.
The steps Lagos is taking demonstrate that leadership involves preparing before emergencies strike. By activating the incident management structure, expanding isolation capacity, training frontline workers, and tightening surveillance at airports, the government has built a protective shield for its more than 20 million residents. The state recognises its vulnerability as Nigeria’s commercial capital and international gateway, yet it has chosen to lead with vigilance rather than fear.
Officials continue to urge residents to stay calm, practice good hygiene, and report suspicious cases immediately. They argue that with the right level of vigilance, public cooperation, and government readiness, Lagos can prevent another outbreak and protect the lives of its citizens.
As the Democratic Republic of Congo battles Ebola in Kasai Province, Lagos stands ready to defend its borders and protect its people. The lessons from 2014, the structures in place today, and the commitment of its health workers combine to create hope that the state can prevent another outbreak. Health officials insist that Lagos is not only prepared for this threat but also laying the foundation for stronger epidemic preparedness in the future.
In the words of officials overseeing the response, Lagos is largely ready.
Health professionals also emphasised that the state’s response is not only about preventing Ebola but about reinforcing confidence in Lagos’ healthcare system. By taking visible steps, such as equipping isolation centres, training responders, and deploying surveillance teams, the government is showing that public safety remains a priority. The approach reassures residents that their leaders are attentive to global health threats and are determined to protect lives. It also sends a message to other states and countries that epidemic preparedness must remain constant. In Lagos today, the guiding principle is clear: readiness saves lives.