The Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness to prevent and respond to any potential outbreak of the disease.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the State House in Abuja and was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who will also chair the task force.

The newly established body brings together representatives from key sectors and institutions, including members of the Federal Executive Council, federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), subnational governments, the private sector, and international health partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been designated to provide overall technical leadership and coordination for the task force’s activities.

Speaking during the inauguration, Gbajabiamila emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria remains proactive in safeguarding public health and strengthening its disease surveillance and emergency response systems.

According to him, the task force was established to position Nigeria at the forefront of epidemic preparedness on the African continent.

“Our objective is that, in terms of preparedness, Nigeria will take the lead among African nations. We will not follow; we will lead,” he said.

The inauguration comes amid heightened global attention to infectious disease preparedness and reflects Nigeria’s determination to build on lessons learned from previous public health emergencies, including its successful containment of Ebola in 2014.

The task force is expected to coordinate preparedness measures, enhance collaboration among stakeholders, and ensure that the country maintains a high level of readiness against any potential Ebola threat.