Health Commissioner Leads Inspection; State, FAAN, Port Health, NCAA Pledge Stronger Collaboration
Lagos State Government has stepped up measures to prevent the importation of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into Nigeria, with the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, leading a high-level inspection of preparedness systems at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA.
The visit came amid growing concern over a resurgence of Ebola in East Africa. Abayomi was joined by the Special Adviser on Health, Doctor Kemi Ogunyemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Doctor Dayo Lajide; Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam; and leads the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
They were received by MMIA Airport Manager/Regional General Manager South-West, Olatokunbo Arewa, alongside officials of Port Health Services, FAAN and NCAA. The team reviewed passenger flow, infection prevention protocols, emergency response procedures and areas for stronger state-federal collaboration.
Abayomi recalled Lagos’ containment of Ebola in 2014 after the index case from Liberia. “Almost eleven years ago, we experienced the importation of Ebola into Lagos. We contained what became a relatively small outbreak, thanks to healthcare workers like the late Doctor Ameyo Adadevoh,” he said.
He described MMIA as Nigeria’s most critical entry point, handling about 70% of international passengers, and therefore the most likely route for imported infections. “Our goal is to create a bottleneck for the virus, not for passengers,” Abayomi stated.
He said Lagos would work with airport authorities to strengthen early detection, rapid isolation, safe evacuation of suspected cases, and digital monitoring of travellers from high-risk countries. He also proposed dedicated arrival channels to limit contact between passengers from designated locations and other travellers.
Doctor Ogunyemi said the visit was meant to assess readiness and reassure frontline staff. “The frontline actually begins here at our ports of entry. Your role is critical in disease surveillance,” she told airport personnel, conveying Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s support. She described health security as part of national security and urged sustained attention to the Ebola threat.
Doctor Lajide commended FAAN, Port Health, NCAA and other agencies for their cooperation. She urged airport workers to strictly observe Infection Prevention and Control measures. “Your safety is paramount. While you protect Nigeria, you must also protect yourselves,” she said.
Arewa said MMIA had deployed touchless hand sanitiser dispensers and temperature scanners, with plans to strengthen screening further. “Ebola is highly dangerous. Any suspected case must be isolated quickly and professionally,” he noted, adding that dedicated processing lanes for high-risk arrivals were under consideration.
Head of Port Health Services at MMIA, Doctor Lawal Abdullahi, said the airport’s Public Health Emergency Contingency Plan was updated on March 18, 2026, before the current East Africa outbreak.
The Airport Public Health Emergency Management Team has been activated, and risk assessments conducted to identify countries of concern. Passenger data is now routinely shared with Lagos epidemiology teams to aid follow-up.
FAAN’s General Manager, Aviation Medical Services, Doctor Bilkis Ibrahim, said PPE, awareness materials and staff training were being scaled up. NCAA’s Aeromedical Assessor, Doctor Abayomi Asunbo, said airlines on designated routes had been directed to comply with health protocols before passengers disembark in Nigeria.
The inspection ended with a walkthrough of screening points and arrival halls. Lagos officials and airport agencies reaffirmed commitment to coordinated surveillance and rapid response to keep Lagos and Nigeria safe from Ebola and other public health threats.
