One imported case, 44,000 flights, and a whole country on edge. But the Federal Government says Nigeria caught it early, and has seen this before.

In plain language, the FG is telling Nigerians: we’ve got this.

Speaking after an emergency meeting at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the system worked exactly as it should.

According to cbinews.tv, the infected passenger arrived in Abuja showing no symptoms. Four days later, symptoms developed, and thanks to protocols already in place, she was picked up promptly.

“It’s because of what the Ministry of Health, the task force and all the agencies have been doing. All hands have been on deck,” Gbajabiamila said.

It’s not just about one case. Since June when the Ebola alert was raised, about 44,000 flights have moved in and out of Nigeria. One missed case could spiral. That’s why contact tracing, isolation of exposed persons, and surveillance across airports, borders, hospitals and states have all been activated.

Health Minister Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate reassured that hospital capabilities are live, contact tracing is ongoing, and the incident management system is running with WHO, Africa CDC and the NCDC.

The appeal from both men was strikingly human, build trust, don’t spread panic.

Pate specifically warned Nigerians to stop sharing unverified voice notes and WhatsApp broadcasts. Panic, he said, spreads faster than any virus.

Nigeria knows Ebola. In 2014, we lost 8 people, including Dr Stella Adadevoh, who stopped Patrick Sawyer at First Consultants Hospital in Lagos. That bravery, plus a brutal, efficient contact tracing effort, helped Nigeria become the first country in the world to be declared Ebola-free after a major outbreak.

That institutional memory is why a Task Force was quietly inaugurated back in June 2026, long before this index case landed.

Contact tracing: Everyone who had close contact with the index case is being tracked and isolated.

Surveillance: Public and private hospitals, Immigration, FAAN, NCAA and state health teams are on heightened alert.

Public compliance: Wash hands, report symptoms early, and respect official directives.

The FG says most states already have adequate response plans and resources are being mobilised.

As Pate put it: “We have competent health authorities. We’ve tamed this virus before.”

For now, no need for panic, but plenty of need for vigilance.

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