Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called for increased focus on disease surveillance and emergency infrastructure to safeguard Nigeria against future health crises. Speaking at the Nigerian Medical Association’s 2026 conference, she emphasized that frontline physicians are the primary line of defense in identifying potential threats.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable due to global travel and active outbreaks elsewhere. He urged doctors to avoid the assumption that all fevers are malaria, as Ebola symptoms like headaches and vomiting can mimic common illnesses. Dr. Idris stressed that early detection through clinical suspicion is the only way to prevent imported cases from becoming widespread outbreaks.
The Federal Government has responded by activating the National Emergency Operations Centre and enhancing border surveillance. However, officials noted that these systems depend entirely on the alertness of health workers. Professor Akin Osibogun, who chaired the event, highlighted that the 2014 containment of Ebola succeeded due to rapid action and strong coordination, serving as a blueprint for the future. NMA Lagos State Chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, echoed these sentiments, asserting that preventing future crises requires consistent investment in health security and infrastructure rather than relying on chance.
