Lawmakers Urge Immediate Funding for Nigeria’s Disease Control Center
The House of Representatives has urgently called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding for the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). They warn that failure to bridge critical funding gaps could significantly compromise the nation’s capacity to respond effectively to outbreaks of Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.
This appeal emerged during a plenary session focused on pressing national concerns, where Amobi Godwin Ogah emphasized lawmakers’ worries over Nigeria’s preparedness against the rising threat of Ebola in Africa and the increasing operational difficulties facing the NCDC, the country’s leading public health agency.
In his remarks, Mr. Ogah pointed out the financial challenges confronting the NCDC, the agency responsible for managing infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies in Nigeria. He highlighted that, despite the escalating health security threats across the continent, the center is grappling with severe funding limitations.
He recalled recent developments, specifically mentioning a May 15, 2026 report from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which highlighted an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This outbreak presents a serious risk to African nations, including Nigeria, due to porous borders and insufficient cross-border surveillance capabilities.
Mr. Ogah expressed further concern regarding the absence of a licensed vaccine or targeted therapy specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. This situation underscores the urgent need for robust preparedness and proactive response measures.
The prolonged funding deficit has significantly weakened Nigeria’s health security infrastructure, as dwindling donor support previously supplemented government budgets for outbreak preparedness and response. This crisis has left essential healthcare agencies struggling to fulfill key obligations, with many vendors providing crucial goods and services to the NCDC going unpaid for over a year. This unpaid debt contributes to delays in completing essential projects, including zonal laboratories and treatment centers.
Mr. Ogah also highlighted limitations in resources for simulation exercises, readiness training, and post-incident reviews, all critical for identifying operational shortfalls before an outbreak. Additionally, he pointed out shortages of laboratory reagents and consumables necessary for effective disease surveillance and diagnosis.
Other challenges identified include inadequate biosafety and biosecurity frameworks to properly handle infectious pathogens, limited access to intensive care and oxygen supply for critically ill patients, and insufficient funding to train rapid response teams nationwide.
Following an extensive discussion, the House urged the Executive Branch to promptly release the necessary funds to the NCDC as stipulated in the Appropriations Act, ensuring the agency can settle outstanding debts and sustain vital operations. Moreover, the House directed the Infectious Diseases Committee to oversee the allocation of these funds, ensuring they are effectively utilized and to report back for further legislative action when necessary.
Lawmakers emphasized the importance of strengthening border inspection measures to prevent infected individuals from entering the country. The House Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with monitoring the implementation of this resolution, ensuring relevant government agencies adhere to the new directives.
This resolution comes amid growing concern from public health experts regarding the resurgence of infectious diseases throughout Africa and the increasing pressure on national health systems to maintain efficient surveillance and rapid response capabilities at a time when emerging pathogens pose significant threats.
