Korede Abdullah 
Dr Bakare Lawal
ABUJA, Nigeria – As Ebola resurfaces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigerian health officials are sounding a warning: readiness, not panic, will decide whether the country avoids cross-border transmission.
In an exclusive interview with Africa Health Report (AHR) on Saturday, a senior official with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Bakare Lawal, urged Nigeria to reinforce its internal systems before any potential case emerges.
“Preventing the spread of Ebola into Nigeria requires a strong emphasis on preparedness and response rather than reactive measures,” Dr Lawal told AHR.
He explained that Nigeria already operates under the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, which prioritises functional systems over blanket travel bans.
“It is not about reinventing the wheel but ensuring that our existing systems are fully functional and continuously strengthened,” he stressed.
According to him, vital actions include equipping treatment centres, training frontline workers, maintaining isolation and diagnostic facilities, and enforcing rigorous entry and exit screenings for travellers from affected countries.
Beyond borders, Dr Lawal stressed the role of community vigilance.
“Public awareness campaigns can help people recognise early symptoms and seek care promptly, while community health workers remain the first line of detection in both rural and urban areas,” he explained.
He also advised citizens to practise strict hygiene, avoid bush meat, and cook food thoroughly to reduce zoonotic risk.
Highlighting coordination, he praised the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its partnerships with WHO and Africa CDC but urged stronger real-time data sharing and nationwide readiness.
Nigeria’s real test, experts warn, is how swiftly it acts.
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Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
