The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) and Prevention has dismissed widespread claims suggesting that Ebola Virus Disease has been detected in Nigeria, insisting that no confirmed case of the deadly disease exists anywhere in the country.
The clarification followed a wave of social media posts and unofficial reports that sparked concern among Nigerians amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Central and East Africa.
In a statement published on its official platforms on Saturday, the agency described the reports as false and urged the public to rely only on verified information from recognised health authorities.
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“We wish to clarify: there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Nigeria. Any report stating otherwise is false,” the NCDC said.
The public health agency stressed that it remains on high alert and has continued to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and emergency response measures nationwide to prevent any possible importation of the disease.
The reassurance comes at a time when health authorities across Africa are monitoring a regional outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Nigeria’s health authorities have repeatedly maintained that the country remains Ebola-free despite heightened regional risks. Earlier advisories issued by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that no case had been detected within Nigeria’s borders while precautionary measures were being expanded.
The Federal Ministry of Health recently announced enhanced preparedness protocols, including intensified screening at airports, seaports and land borders, strengthened laboratory readiness, rapid response activation and closer monitoring of public health alerts.
NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris has also assured Nigerians that surveillance systems remain active across all entry points and that collaboration with Port Health Services and international health partners is ongoing.
Public health experts warn that misinformation during disease outbreaks can trigger unnecessary panic and undermine confidence in official response efforts. The NCDC therefore urged citizens to verify health-related information before sharing it on social media.
The agency advised Nigerians to continue observing basic public health measures, including regular hand hygiene and prompt reporting of unusual illnesses to health facilities.
Nigeria earned global recognition for successfully containing the Ebola outbreak that entered the country in 2014 through an infected traveller from Liberia. The rapid response mounted by health authorities at the time has since been cited internationally as a model for outbreak containment.
Health officials say lessons learned from that experience continue to shape the country’s preparedness framework for emerging infectious diseases.
The NCDC reiterated that it would continue providing timely updates through its verified communication channels and urged the public to disregard unverified reports claiming that Ebola cases had been recorded in Nigeria.
