By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has approved the immediate release of State Outbreak Investigation and Response Funds (S-OIRF) to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats, while directing states to retire all outbreak response expenditures within six months.
The intervention, announced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at boosting surveillance, rapid response capacity, and emergency readiness across the country through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) gateway under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) framework.
According to the Ministry, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, authorised the release of 50 percent of the S-OIRF allocation, translating to ₦21.2 million per state, as a one-time special dispensation.
The government said the move is preventive, noting that although Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola case, the country must remain vigilant amid global and regional health risks.
The funds are expected to support outbreak investigation, surveillance strengthening, emergency logistics, and rapid response operations at state level.
The intervention also complements ongoing national preparedness efforts coordinated by a multi-sectoral presidential structure chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, which oversees Ebola preparedness and broader health security interventions.
In a strong accountability directive, Prof. Pate, who also chairs the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee, instructed all beneficiary states to retire both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months.
He stressed strict compliance with financial regulations and reporting standards, warning that future disbursements would depend on proper documentation and transparency.
Speaking on the approval, the Minister emphasised the importance of proactive investment in health security.
> “Preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in protecting public health. While it is important that States have timely access to resources needed to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities, it is equally important that public funds are managed responsibly and accounted for in line with established regulations,” he said.
“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support States to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources.”
States urged to prioritise accountability and response capacity
The Ministry reiterated that the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund is designed strictly to strengthen disease surveillance systems, emergency preparedness, and rapid response mechanisms across Nigeria.
Beneficiary states were further directed to ensure funds are used solely for approved activities and in line with existing financial management guidelines.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national health security through sustained investment in prevention, detection, and response systems nationwide.