President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a presidential task force on Ebola virus disease (EVD) preparedness and emerging public health threats and ordered the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen the country’s readiness against the disease.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement on Tuesday that the funding is expected to boost the operational preparedness of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical public health emergency response activities across the country.

Onanuga said the presidential task force will be chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, and will comprise representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments.

The decision follows growing concerns over the resurgence of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, countries within the African region.

Tinubu’s approval came after a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Gbajabiamila to assess Nigeria’s preparedness and develop strategies to prevent the possible importation of the virus into the country.

Representatives of the ministry of interior, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Lagos state government, and other key agencies attended the meeting.

As part of measures to strengthen preparedness, the president directed all states hosting international airports and border corridors, as well as relevant MDAs, to submit their response plans, funding requirements and intervention needs for coordinated implementation.

The task force is expected to intensify passenger screening at international airports through enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols.

Authorities will also increase surveillance of passengers arriving through routes considered high-risk, including flights operated by Air Uganda, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, TAAG Angola Airlines, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Tinubu further approved the immediate activation of referral and isolation centres at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja, with similar facilities to be established at other airports nationwide.

The government will also introduce mandatory QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration systems for passengers arriving from or transiting through designated high-risk countries.

In addition, airport facilities, including departure halls, cargo terminals and baggage handling areas, will be subjected to regular disinfection as a precautionary measure.

The president directed the task force to engage security, diplomatic and aviation authorities on possible regulations affecting flights from countries considered high-risk.

The advisory body was also mandated to designate specific airports or terminals for high-risk flights to facilitate controlled screening and isolation procedures where necessary.

It is also expected to consider adjustments to flight schedules to minimise contact between passengers arriving from high-risk destinations and other travellers.

The measures form part of the federal government’s broader efforts to prevent a repeat of the Ebola outbreak that affected parts of West Africa and to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emerging public health threats.

Tinubu warns FCC board against abuse of federal character principle

TheTimesOfAbuja — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:51:20 +0000

President Bola Tinubu has urged members of the board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to uphold transparency, professionalism and consistency in the discharge of their duties.

On January 22, Tinubu inaugurated Ayo Omidiran as chairperson of the commission, alongside 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day induction programme for the newly inaugurated commissioners, the president said Nigerians must come to see the FCC not as another bureaucratic institution, but as a guardian of fairness and national inclusion.

Represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff, Tinubu said the country “feels fragile” whenever the federal character principle is ignored or abused.

“Transparency in your processes, professionalism in your engagements, and consistency in your decisions will deepen public confidence in your work and ensure your success in this assignment,” he said.

“This is not routine public service. This is constitutional stewardship. You are custodians of one of the most delicate compacts holding our nation together.

“When the federal character principle is upheld with wisdom, Nigeria feels fair. When it is ignored or abused, Nigeria feels fragile. Your actions will therefore resonate far beyond your offices. They will echo in communities, shape trust, and influence belief in the Nigerian project itself.”

Tinubu said the work of the commission is both preventive and corrective, noting that diligent performance of its duties would help prevent disputes and sustain public confidence in the state.

“Nigeria’s diversity is often described as a challenge. It is also our greatest strength. It gives us resilience, reach and perspective,” he said.

“But diversity only becomes strength when it is managed with justice. Without justice, diversity becomes division. Your task is to ensure that justice remains visible — justice that is fair, balanced, grounded in the Constitution, and applied without fear or favour.”

George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said the federal character principle remains a cornerstone of national cohesion and democratic stability.

Akume described the principle as a constitutional imperative that demands strict compliance across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He said the federal government expects the commission to intensify monitoring, strengthen data-driven oversight and ensure faithful implementation of the principle without compromise.

“Your work as members of this fifth board will significantly shape public perception of fairness, inclusion and justice in governance,” he said.

“The manner in which you discharge your duties must therefore reflect objectivity, professionalism and unwavering loyalty to the Constitution, as public trust in our institutions depends largely on your decisions and conduct.”

Earlier, Omidiran said the FCC occupies a unique and sensitive position within Nigeria’s governance architecture, as it exists to promote fairness, inclusiveness, balance and justice in a nation defined by diversity.

She said the federal character principle is not a political slogan, but a stabilising framework designed to manage pluralism, foster unity and ensure that no section of the country is excluded from the benefits and responsibilities of governance.

“This principle reflects Nigeria’s collective resolve to build unity through equity, cohesion through inclusion and loyalty through justice,” she said.

“When faithfully applied, it strengthens national trust, deepens citizens’ sense of belonging and reinforces confidence in public institutions.”

Omidiran added that the commission bears a broader social responsibility that goes beyond compliance and regulation.

“Our work has implications for national unity, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development,” she said.

“When the federal character principle is properly implemented, it ensures that opportunities are fairly distributed, representation is balanced and development is inclusive.”

The post Tinubu warns FCC board against abuse of federal character principle first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Femi Gbajabiamila - The Times of Abuja

Tinubu approves Ebola task force, releases N10bn for emergency preparedness

Tinubu warns FCC board against abuse of federal character principle