The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has reinstated health declaration requirements for all international travellers following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director-General of the agency, Jide Idris, announced the decision during a media briefing in Abuja, explaining that the requirement, which initially applied to all international travellers, had earlier been limited to passengers arriving from countries linked to the outbreak, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Idris said the NCDC had issued advisories to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to guide the implementation of the directive in collaboration with airlines.
He identified Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt as the five international airports where preparedness measures were being strengthened, with Port Health Services working alongside aviation, immigration and customs officials to improve screening at the country’s entry points.
The NCDC chief noted that effective implementation required coordination with aviation authorities, as the agency does not directly control airport operations. He also acknowledged challenges caused by ongoing construction at Lagos airport, promising further engagement with relevant authorities to address operational difficulties.
Idris added that immigration and customs officials were also involved in preparedness measures at land borders, stressing that access to restricted airport areas must comply with established security procedures.
