RismadarVoice Reporters
October 25, 2026
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced an emergency support package of ₦100,000 weekly for individuals placed in isolation or quarantine following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed the arrangement during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, explaining that the intervention was intended to reduce the financial burden on people undergoing public health monitoring.
According to Idris, some identified contacts had expressed concerns about feeding, accommodation and supporting their families while complying with quarantine measures.
He said the financial assistance was introduced to encourage cooperation with health officials and prevent economic difficulties from undermining efforts to contain the disease.
The NCDC chief explained that the payment was not included in the agency’s original emergency response plan but became necessary following complaints from affected individuals.
He added that the arrangement would be reviewed as the response continued.
The announcement follows Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported Ebola infection in Abuja on October 20.
According to the NCDC, the patient is a 42-year-old woman who returned from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3 and subsequently developed symptoms.
Laboratory testing confirmed infection with the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus.
The agency said the patient remained in isolation and was receiving medical treatment.
As of Sunday, health authorities had identified 53 primary contacts, including healthcare workers, household members, domestic staff and individuals involved in the patient’s medical care.
The contacts are being monitored according to their levels of exposure, with follow-up expected to continue for 21 days after their last possible contact with the infected patient.
The NCDC also confirmed that a suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State had tested negative.
Idris urged state governments to make adequate financial and logistical preparations for public health emergencies, stressing that effective disease containment requires coordinated action beyond the Federal Capital Territory.
He said authorities were strengthening contact tracing, laboratory surveillance, infection prevention and healthcare worker protection to prevent further transmission.
The director-general also appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information.
The NCDC emphasised that being identified as a contact does not necessarily mean a person has contracted Ebola, but that medical monitoring is required to detect possible infection early.
