The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Lagos State Government health officials, and Port Health Services have strengthened measures to prevent the importation and spread of Ebola Virus Disease through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following a joint inspection of the airport’s preparedness facilities.

A statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the inspection assessed the airport’s readiness to detect, monitor, and respond to potential Ebola threats, particularly in light of recent developments surrounding the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The exercise involved stakeholders from the health and aviation sectors, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Emmanuel Abayomi; MMIA Airport Manager, Mr Olatokunbo Arewa; General Manager, Aviation Medical, FAAN, Dr Ibrahim Bilikisu; the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr Ismail Abdus-Salam.

Speaking during the inspection, Abayomi said there was a need for heightened vigilance and stricter surveillance, particularly for passengers arriving from countries considered high-risk.

According to him, procedures must be maintained to identify, separate, and closely monitor travellers from such destinations while ensuring compliance with established public health protocols.

The commissioner said collaboration among relevant agencies remained important in preventing the importation and spread of infectious diseases through the airport. Arewa said FAAN would continue to implement preventive measures and comply with health regulations.

He also called for closer cooperation among stakeholders and stressed the need for immediate action when symptoms suggestive of Ebola are detected in any traveller. “Prompt detection, reporting, and response are essential to preventing the spread of any infectious disease within the airport environment and beyond,” he said.

Also briefing the delegation, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry team at MMIA, Dr Abdullahi Lawal, said the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan had been reviewed and risk assessments conducted.

According to him, airlines operating from high-risk destinations have been identified, screening forms are being administered to arriving passengers on such flights, and stakeholders have been assigned responsibilities under the emergency response framework.

Bilikisu said FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had continued to share information and coordinate response efforts in line with international health regulations and global best practices.

She added that airport personnel and stakeholders had been sensitised on their roles and trained to identify, report, and respond to potential public health threats.

As part of the exercise, members of the Lagos State Government delegation toured key airport facilities to verify compliance with Ebola surveillance, screening, and prevention protocols. The inspection reviewed the airport’s preparedness measures and response arrangements for potential public health emergencies.