The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, has clarified that the recently approved N10 billion emergency intervention fund is intended to bolster Nigeria's preparedness against various epidemic-prone diseases, not solely for Ebola Virus Disease. This clarification comes amid rising public discourse regarding the allocation of the funds, which were approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris explained that the N10 billion is aimed at enhancing prevention, preparedness, early detection, and rapid response to a range of public health threats, including Lassa fever, cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, measles, monkeypox, and antimicrobial resistance. He emphasized that the funds were allocated directly to the NCDC, countering narratives that suggested they were designated exclusively for the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

During a press conference held on October 25, 2026, Idris noted that although he had previously stated that the N10 billion had not yet been released to the agency, he did not specify when the funds would be made available. He described the allocation as insufficient, given Nigeria's escalating health security needs, revealing that the implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security, which spans from 2025 to 2029, is projected to cost around N522 billion over five years. This translates to an average annual requirement of approximately N104.4 billion, indicating that the N10 billion intervention represents a mere two percent of the plan's yearly cost.

With a population exceeding 240 million, Idris asserted that Nigeria requires sustained investments from the Federal Government, state governments, and development partners to effectively safeguard its citizens against epidemic threats. He highlighted that the NCDC's funding has seen an increase from N4 billion in 2024 to N7 billion in 2025, followed by an additional N5 billion intervention fund that same year. The 2026 budget allocates N22 billion to the agency.

The N10 billion emergency fund was approved by President Tinubu in June 2026, following an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo that raised international alarm. Idris reiterated that the request for the funds was not limited to Ebola but was part of a broader national health security strategy.

He pointed out that the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board estimates that a country should invest between $1 and $2 per person each year to be adequately prepared for epidemics. For Nigeria, this amounts to an annual requirement of between $240 million and $480 million. Idris warned that the current level of health security funding is inadequate, and emphasized the need for a shift in focus from political controversy over the N10 billion to the urgent requirement for sustainable investment in health security.

On the current Ebola situation, Idris confirmed that Nigeria had recorded its first imported case of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, with laboratory confirmation received on October 20, 2026. However, he reassured the public that there were no active cases in the country at that time, as identified contacts were under daily surveillance.

Idris also dismissed calls for postponing elections or imposing travel restrictions, stating that such measures were unwarranted. Instead, the NCDC has developed guidelines for mass gatherings, advocating strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures to ensure public events can proceed safely. He urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading unverified information, warning that misinformation could undermine public confidence and hinder the country’s response to health emergencies.